RESIDENTS in Ryedale are being given the chance to have their say on how their area is developed for housing and local facilities over the next 15 years.

Under government targets Ryedale District Council must find space for 200 houses to be built each year by 2026, as well as the shops and amenities that must be built with them.

A widespread consultation by the council, the Local Development Framework, will now take place across the district to allow local people to give their views on where all these new homes should be built, ending on Friday, July 31.

As part of the consultation a series of 18 exhibitions will be held across the district in June and July to show people the sites that have been put forward by landowners and developers as potential housing areas.

Developers and landowners will be available to speak to at the exhibitions at Helmsley, Kirkbymoorside, Malton and Pickering.

Over 400 sites have been put up for consideration but only a fraction will be needed- the views of the public will be taken into account to determine which are used.

For more information on the Local Development Framework visit the council’s website at http://ldf.ryedale.gov.uk.

Comments on the assessment process or the development sites must be received by July 31- write to Ryedale District Council, Ryedale House, Malton, North Yorks, YO17 0BR or email ourfuture@ryedale.gov.uk

Exhibitions take place at: Hovingham village hall, June 16; Sheriff Hutton village hall, June 17; Birdsall village hall, June 18; Sherburn village hall, June 19;Thornton-le-Dale village hall, June 22; Nawton Memorial Hall, June 23; Pickering Memorial Hall, June 25, 3-7pm and June 26, noon-5pm; Saxton village hall, June 29; Slingsby village hall, July 1; Helmsley Town Hall, July 3, noon-7pm; Appleton le Street Parish Hall at Amotherby, July 6; Ampleforth village hall, July 9; Kirkbymoorside Royal British Legion Club, July 10, 2-6pm and July 11,noon-5pm; Rillington village hall, July 13 and the Milton Rooms at Malton, July 17, 3-7pm and July 18, noon-5pm.

All exhibitions are open between 3-7pm unless stated otherwise.