RESIDENTS of a North Cornwall town are being given the opportunity to shape the future of their home as its council seeks to explore what matters to the community.

Bude-Stratton Town Council is encouraging people across the parish to have their say on what matters to them when planning for the future of the area.

It comes as Cornwall Council launches its ‘planning for our future’ survey in an effort to develop a new Local Plan.

Bude-Stratton Town Council has said that responses from people in the Bude and Stratton area will also help it prepare its Neighbourhood Priority Statement (NPS).

The NPS will set out local priorities, including the things the community values, would like to protect or would like to see improved. Once completed and approved, the NPS will help inform Cornwall Council's new Local Plan, ensuring local priorities are considered as future planning policies are developed.

It can consider issues including homes, jobs and the local economy, transport, natural spaces and local features, community facilities and infrastructure.

As a first step in developing the NPS, Bude-Stratton Town Council is encouraging as many people as possible from across the community to take part in the survey. There will be further opportunities for residents to contribute as the NPS develops.

Town councillor and chair of the neighbourhood priority statement steering group Jeremy Petherick said: “Bude and Stratton will continue to change over the years ahead, and it’s important that local people have the opportunity to tell us what matters to them.

“Whether it’s housing, transport, jobs, community facilities or the places and features we value, we want to hear from people across our communities. Taking part in the survey is a simple way to help us build a clearer picture of local priorities for the future.”

The survey gives residents an opportunity to share what they value about where they live, what they think could be improved and what their communities may need in the future.