THE LOCAL plan is one of the borough’s most important documents as it outlines how Basingstoke will grow in the future – and residents have just a few more days to make their views known.

The consultation on the draft Local Plan – a blueprint of development in the next 15 years – ends on Friday.

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council chiefs want people to tell them what they think about the plan before it is submitted for Government approval next year.

The Local Plan outlines how many new homes will be built each year until 2029, where they will go, and what infrastructure will be built alongside.

The council has proposed building 748 new homes each year – 11,220 in the 15-year period. To hit that target, some new homes will have be built on undeveloped or greenfield sites.

In the Local Plan, planning chiefs have earmarked 11 greenfield sites for new homes. These include Manydown, west of Basingstoke, for 3,080 homes, Basingstoke Golf Course, for 1,000 homes, and 900 homes on 66 acres east of Basingstoke.

Since launching the consultation, more than 600 people have visited exhibitions held by the borough council.

Basingstoke and Deane’s planning chief Councillor Mark Ruffell said people should make their views known.

“I would urge residents and community groups not to miss out on this chance to help shape the future of the borough by letting us know their comments on the plan.

“All responses to the consultation will be considered and changes made where necessary before the final version of the plan is submitted to the planning inspector.”

Help on how to respond correctly is available online through the council’s website. To view the plan, necessary maps, and supporting documents, and to respond, visit basing stoke.gov.uk/go/localplan.

Paper copies can be read at the Civic Offices in London Road, and borough libraries. A printed response form can be obtained by calling 01256 844844.