RESIDENTS and businesses are being urged to have their say on the future of Weymouth.

The Weymouth Neighbourhood Plan consultation aims to collect views on the top five identified themes that the Weymouth community have said are important to them – homes, jobs, communities, landscape and green spaces, and sustainable environments.

Weymouth Neighbourhood Plan group and Dorset Coast Forum are organising public consultation events around the town as well as encouraging people to complete an online survey.

The neighbourhood plan sets out the policies that are used to help make decisions about planning applications in the area, including identifying open spaces that locals would like to protect from inappropriate development. It is led by the local community and gives everyone an opportunity to help shape future development, influence the well-being, sustainability, and long-term preservation of the community.

Weymouth Town Council Cllr David Northam, Vice Chair of the Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group, said: “Please help shape the future of our town over the next 15 to 20 years. I urge you to come along to one of the upcoming community events where you can have your say on Weymouth’s Neighbourhood Plan.

“This is a plan for all of us in Weymouth and is designed to help our communities, including residents and businesses, to have a say in Weymouth’s future. So do come along, find out more about the plan and take the survey so that we can capture your valuable input.”

The five themed surveys are open now and will run until midnight Sunday July 31.

Dorset Coast Forum Project Officer Sara Parker highlights the importance of everyone getting involved: “As a resident of Weymouth myself, I would encourage everyone to tell us what they value most about Weymouth by completing the surveys either online, through their local library or community centre by accessing the Dorset digital champion network or by attending one of our local drop-in events in person where my colleague Nikki and I will be available to answer questions and capture your views.”

Community drop-in events will be held at the Park Community Centre, Chelmsford St, 4-6.45pm on Tuesday June 21; St Francis Church, Littlemoor, 4-7pm on Wednesday June 29; St Pauls Community Centre, Westham, 4-7pm on Friday July 8.

The online survey can be completed by going to www.dorsetcoasthaveyoursay.co.uk