NEWENT is set to become the third Forest of Dean town to give local people a chance to have their say about development in their area, as the town council sets its sights on a Neighbourhood Development Plan.

Lydney's Neighbourhood Development Plan was finalised in 2016 and Coleford's is nearing completion.

Now Newent Town Council is about to start asking people living and working in the area "what they think about this opportunity to make a plan which would have the same influence as the recently approved Local Plan".

A week of consultation has been arranged, in Newent Library, until Wednesday July 18, and consultation will also take place during the town's Community and Wildlife Day this Saturday, July 14.

Cllr Gill Moseley, lead councillor for the Neighbourhood Development Plan (NDP) working group said: "Newent is a unique, historic market town best known for its Onion Fayre, but there is so much more to offer.

"This plan is an exciting opportunity to put innovatory ideas forward and help create a town and neighbourhood fit for the future for the community who live and work here."

She added: "This is the time for local residents, businesses and anyone who is involved on the Newent community to say whether they want to use the plan to develop a vision for the future of Newent and its surrounding area and to have a say in local development."

More detailed consultation, discussion and research will take place in the coming months guided by a steering group consisting of stakeholders in the community as well as local councillors.