A SEARCH is under way for land which could be put to use for housing, recreation or employment developments.

Landowners and developers are among those being asked for suggestions for potential sites across the Hambleton district.

Land needs to be allocated in the Local Development Framework - a plan setting out a vision for the district up to the year 2021.

It will replace the district-wide local plan, the planning blueprint which the authority adopted five years ago.

The majority of sites which will be allocated for developments are expected to be within the main towns - with previously developed land and buildings being preferred.

An urban capacity study, published in 2002 by the council, identified potential housing plots and will be used as a starting point for the search for land.

"Previous studies and suggestions will guide this review, but we are also open to new suggestions from land-owners and developers," said Councillor John Morley, the council's cabinet environment spokesman.

"Sites for housing development must be within, or on the edge of settlements - and not be for individual dwellings or in remote locations.

"Suggestions for other land uses, including employment, recreation and community facilities, are also invited."

Details of possible sites should be sent with a site plan to Graham Banks, Planning Policy Section, Hambleton District Council, Civic Centre, Stone Cross, Northallerton, DL6 2UU, by the end of June.