A consultation period has begun in an attempt to bring a neighbourhood plan to a Suffolk village.

Mid Suffolk District Council has started the process following an application by Haughley Parish Council to earmark an area they feel should be covered by a future neighbourhood development plan.

When completed, the neighbourhood plan will be used by Mid Suffolk, as the local planning authority, when deciding planning applications in the area.

The area proposed by the parish council for neighbourhood planning purposes follows the parish boundary and part of neighbouring Harleston parish, north of the A14.

Chris Adams, chair of the parish council, said: “The main reason we’re doing it is because the Government is pushing for new developments and if you do have a neighbourhood plan you have a legal voice and a bit of a say in where or what.

“It might not change the development but you do have some influence over developments.

“We are not against development but we would like some opinion on what and where developments go and what infrastructure we might need.”

Mr Adams said the parish council first started discussing the possibility of a neighbourhood plan about a year ago.

He added: “The response has been largely positive, people can see why we’re doing it, asking about the area and the ideas behind it.

“We hope it goes ahead.”

The district council is asking whether the area proposed is appropriate. Responses must be received before 4pm on October 30.

Details of the map can be found at www.midsuffolk.gov.uk/planning-and-building/community-led-planning/neighbourhood-development-plans/neighbourhood -planning-in-haughley/

Comments can be submitted by email before the deadline to NHP@midsuffolk.gov.uk