A public consultation has started as part of a Suffolk town’s bid to create a neighbourhood development plan.

Hadleigh Town Council wants to create the document, which will be used to shape how the town evolves.

Neighbourhood plans are used to help with things like developing planning policy and how best to meet the needs of the community.

As part of the process the town council has selected an area of land it feels should be covered by the plan.

It then made an application to Babergh District Council (BDC) for a decision on whether that area could be included in its proposals.

BDC has now launched a consultation asking for the public’s views on the area proposed and if it thinks it is suitable for inclusion in the plan.

The land which is the subject of the application follows the existing town boundary, taking in both Hadleigh North and Hadleigh South wards.

Mayor of Hadleigh, Richard Whiting, said he thought it was important members of the community had their say on the town’s future development.

Kathryn Grandon, who represents Hadleigh South on Babergh District Council, said having a town plan was a good idea and encouraged people to have their say during the consultation.

“I would like as many people to get involved as possible,” she said.

“It’s good that everyone has this opportunity to get involved, it doesn’t come up all the time that we can shape the future for our children.

“A lot of people feel they don’t have enough say in what goes on but then don’t do anything about it.”

Ms Grandon did add though that people needed to be realistic about what a neighbourhood plan could do.

She said: “It doesn’t give them as much power as some people think it does.

“What it does enable is for local people and the town council to have power over the detail.”

The councillor also said she approved of the area selected by the town council because it stayed within the existing Hadleigh boundaries.

“When you start encroaching on other parishes, it would be difficult for Hadleigh to go beyond its own boundaries,” Ms Grandon said.

“Although things that go on in Hadleigh do affect other parishes I don’t think you could have a town plan that would have an effect of other areas.

Anyone who wants to have their say on the area proposed by the town council can view a map, as well as more information on the process in general, at www.babergh.gov.uk/HadleighNDP on the district council’s website.

Comments can be submitted by email via NHP@babergh.gov.uk or by post.

Letters should be sent to Peter Freer, Enabling Officer – Community Led Planning and Design, Babergh District Council, Cork Lane, Hadleigh, IP7 6SJ.

Responses must be received before 4pm on June 29. Comments will be kept on a public file and may be reproduced publicly in writing or on the district council’s website.

After the consultation period has ended BDC will consider the feedback and make a decision on the application.