Residents in Whittlesey are set to have a greater say over housing developments in their parish.

Whittlesey Town Council’s application to become a neighbourhood area was approved by Fenland District Council’s planning committee last week.

It means, under the Localism Act (2011), the parish council can now go ahead with preparing a neighbourhood development plan or neighbourhood development order.

A neighbourhood plan can establish general planning policies for the development and use of land in a neighbourhood, including where extra new homes and offices should be built and what they should look like.

Before it can be adopted by Fenland District Council, the plan must go through several formal stages, including a consultation. No plan can be adopted unless it passes a referendum.

If a neighbourhood plan is adopted, it would be considered alongside Fenland District Council’s Local Plan as well as national planning policy when the district council is deciding planning applications within the Whittlesey Neighbourhood Area.

The Whittlesey Neighbourhood Area has not been designated as a business area.

Full details of the designation and a map showing the boundary of the designated area are available at www.fenland.gov.uk/designations.

They can also be viewed at Fenland Hall business reception, the Whittlesey Community Hub and town council notice boards.

If you have any questions about the designation, e-mail FDC’s Neighbourhood Strategy team at neighbourhoodstrategy@fenland.gov.uk or call them on 01354 654321.