THE deadline is approaching to have your say on the future of Copeland.

Copeland Borough Council is developing a plan to guide investment and development in the borough until 2035.

The consultation, which closes next Monday, gives residents and interested parties the opportunity to comment on a draft of the plan, ahead of final publication in 2021.

Issues under consultation in this ‘preferred options’ draft include the number of new-build homes the council should be aiming for, the locations and boundaries in which housing and employment developments should take place, and town centre regeneration. Other issues include the natural environment and heritage.

Councillor Andy Pratt, Portfolio Holder for Environment, Place and Inclusive Communities said: “This is one of the most important documents the council will produce and we are actively encouraging our community to contribute to the process.

“The new Local Plan will set an effective and robust development strategy for the whole borough; guiding inward investment, facilitating growth and forming the basis on which planning applications will be determined for the next decade-and-a-half.

“Feedback received during the previous ‘issues and options’ stage have already been taken on board as we enter this next part of the process.

“We’d like to thank everyone who has contributed so far. All comments we receive on the content of the draft preferred options are vital in helping us understand the views and opinions of our residents and communities, allowing us to incorporate these into our policies and proposals and ensuring that everybody has a say on the development of the borough.”