A SOUTH Lakeland town is leading the way in handing over planning powers to its people.

Residents in Grange-over-Sands could soon be shaping the town's developments if enough people back the town council's bid for a Neighbourhood Plan.

A public consultation will opened on Thursday (January 29) and will give the people of Grange until February 23 to vote in support or against the council's vision and objectives for the plan.

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If it is a 'yes' vote, the town council will be the first in Cumbria and north Lancashire to draw out a full plan that could eventually become a legal document.

Council leader Tom Harvey said: "This is a huge step for the town council. With planning, the community can largely get ignored when they may have valid concerns - positive or negative.

"It's hard for a small community to have a say on how it's shaped so we want to get as big a response from residents around the town.

"The first stage is to get a yes from residents to see if they support our vision."

It is with the support of this vision that will lead to the final drawn up plan going to a referendum.

The vision seeks to ensure that changes and developments will be in sympathy with the town's historical roots and natural assets and support be given to changes and projects that address sustainability and accessibility.

Although the town already has a Community Led Plan in place, a Neighbourhood Plan will focus mainly around development.

It will also mean the council will receive more funding to spend on the town according to its core objectives which include economic development, housing and transport.

Mayor of Grange Cllr Tricia Thomas said: "Extra money will help us to improve infrastructure in the town."

Cllr Thomas said among the concerns that the council wants to focus on is provision for foot access and cycling in the town to ensure safety.

"There are very few footpaths in Allithwaite and children should be able to walk to school," she added.

A survey conducted two years ago for the Community Led Plan revealed 36 per cent of people said they wanted to have a say in what happens in the town.

"We already have an idea about what people want. This is a really positive step for the town having local people engaging in what happens."