A neighbourhood plan could be created in the parish of Bourne End and Wooburn in a few months time after a public consultation was opened on the proposal.

Wooburn and Bourne End Parish Council have applied to Wycombe District Council to designate the villages as a Neighbourhood Area ahead of the making of a Neighbourhood Development Plan.

Although both areas already have community plans in place, this latest proposal would allow the council to look more at the infrastructure of the area.

According to WDC, neighbourhood planning allows communities to come together through a parish council or neighbourhood forum to help shape the future of their areas.

The plan will include where new houses, businesses and shops should go or what new development should look like.

Chairman of the parish council, Sue Wagner, has now said even if they do not start a plan it is important for it to be in the pipeline when discussing key issues like the development of Slate Meadow.

She said: “Before talking too much about the infrastructure issues we want to see the result of the green belt review, which will hopefully be imminent.

“Now we have gone through the process it will be up to the council if we want to use this plan or not.

“As far as I understand it, where the community plans for Wooburn and Bourne End both deal with social aspects this is a plan for buildings and other infrastructure.”

Speaking specifically about Slate Meadow she said: “We are hoping to join working groups to discuss the development of Slate Meadow and we hope to be able to get the best results out of it for the public.

“Slate Meadow was a reserve site for a very long time and everyone knew it was going to be contentious.

“It is no longer possible to stop development so we need to work on ensuring we have a plan in place to get the best results for our parish.”

A public consultation over the prospect of the Neighbourhood Development Plan was opened last week and will run until January 30, 2015.

For more information about the plan, please visit at www.wycombe.gov.uk/council-services/planning-and-buildings/planning-policy/neighbourhood-planning.aspx What would you like to see in Bourne End and Wooburn? Have your say by emailing andrew.colley@london.newsquest.co.uk or by calling 01494 755089.