PEOPLE are being invited to have their say on a planning blueprint that could determine the future of their area for the next 16 years.

The early work on a plan that will shape the future of Hambleton to 2021 moves into the public arena later this month.

And a series of surgeries are being held across the district to give residents the chance to check out initial thoughts for the local development framework.

The plan is still in its embryonic stage, but it will replace the existing district-wide local plan.

It will also take on board the various community plans throughout the area, as well as a raft of strategies relevant to the development and use of land.

The framework will set out proposals and planning policies for the district over the next 15 years in four major documents.

The core strategy will contain the vision, objectives and strategic policies, while an allocations paper will cover where housing, employment and other development should take place.

They will be backed by proposal maps to show where the policies and proposals apply, while a series of development policies will help to assess planning applications.

"We now need to hear views on proposals for the first of those documents - the core strategy," said a spokesman for the district council yesterday.

"A set of topic papers have been drawn up to inform it - covering housing, the economy, community facilities, the environment, transport, spatial strategy and the vision."

Each of the district's market towns is to host a planning surgery where the public can have a look at the work so far and talk to planning officers.

They take place between 4pm and 6pm at the Galtres Centre, Easingwold, on April 25; Bedale Hall, Bedale, on April 26; Northallerton Civic Centre on April 27; the district council offices in Stokesley on April 28; and the town hall in Thirsk on May 4.

Information on the local development framework is also available on the council's website at www.hambleton.gov.uk