THE group behind Burnham’s first Neighbourhood Plan have told local people: “It’s over to you.”

Every aspect of life in the town – including housing, shopping, business and tourism – will be scrutinised over the next 12 months.

The result will help to shape Burnham’s future for a generation, affecting issues such as health care provision and transport. Now residents and businesses are being urged to make their voices heard by adding their views.

Beverley Milner Simonds, town centre manager, who is helping to co-ordinate the project – one of the largest in the UK – told the Weekly News: “This is a oncein-a-lifetime opportunity to state your case on the town’s future.

“Whether that be your street, the High Street, your children’s school, your doctor’s surgery, where you go shopping – whatever it is it’s all up for discussion and suggestions.

“It’s your chance to speak up and have your voice heard.”

Last year Burnham was awarded £20,000 from the Government to develop its own Neighbourhood Plan.

That led to a steering group being set up involving local councillors, trades people and residents to head up the project. The plan is expected to be completed by this time. Phil Harvey, chairman of the steering group, said that he was excited at the interest shown by businesses and residents.

He said: “We had a decent turn-out at the Highbridge meeting and I'm generally pleased with how it's progressing.

“Admittedly it has gone more slowly than I hoped but there are some things that are going to delay us anyway with the elections coming up in May.

“The plan at the moment is working on existing Sedgemoor District Council policy but if things change within the council after the elections we may have to rewrite a lot of it, however we're hoping to have it finished by this time next year.”

The group has been looking at Burnham town centre for the previous four months and the next phase of the plan will focus on housing policy in Burnham with Mr Harvey hoping to form a new group to look specifically at the topic.

He said: “We'll be setting a housing group up at the next meeting and anybody who would like to be involved should contact us.

“We want each group to be made up of as many different people as possible so we don't end up as just a self perpetuating group of people coming up with the same ideas.”

For more information on the Burnham neighbourhood plan contact Phil Harvey on 01278-2380168.