RESIDENTS in Hambleton are being asked to voice their views on the future shape of the district.

A new plan is being drawn up which will set out proposals and planning policies for the next 15 years.

Surgeries are being held in Easingwold and Thirsk in August to unveil details of the new Local Development Framework (LDF) which will replace the current Local Plan. The events will shed light on core strategy policies, the locations of key service centres, service villages and secondary villages.

The LDF will set out proposals and planning policies for the district for the next 15 years in four major documents - the core strategy being the first containing the vision, aims and strategic policies.

New developments are expected to centre on the larger market towns of Northallerton and Thirsk where there are good public transport links with lower-scale plans for Bedale, Easingwold and Stokesley.

The surgeries take place from 3pm to 9pm on August 23 at the Galtres Centre, Easingwold, and on August 24 at Thirsk Town Hall.

Updated: 12:01 Saturday, July 02, 2005