RISBOROUGH residents are being asked to play a part in the future development of the town next week at a planning exhibition.

Wycombe District Council (WDC) has organised a special exhibition following feedback from residents about the council's Local Plan consultation.

The consultation ran earlier this year and suggested up to 2,500 new homes could be built in Princes Risborough.

Feedback from residents has shown their concerns about significant expansion in the town.

The exhibition on September 19 and 20 marks the starts of technical feasibility studies where the challenges and benefits will be explored.

Cllr Neil Marshall, cabinet member for planning and sustainability at WDC said: "Councils up and down the country are facing challenging times with the recent changes which have been made in national planning, where there is now a ‘presumption in favour’ of development. "We care deeply about Wycombe District and we are determined to fight to keep as much local control as we can over our local planning decisions.

"We can only do that by showing national planning inspectors that we are taking local control to be progressive - planning to deliver local growth for the future so that we can then also protect the special character of Wycombe District.

"The drop in event in Princes Risborough is the beginning of a local dialogue where we are setting out the problem and being open, asking local people to work with us to find the best solutions to managing our growth."

At the exhibition, people can see the work that has been done to look at options so far; see a range of different options which explore ways in which the town might grow in the future and talk directly to planners and local representatives In addition, there will be themed workshop sessions running on the Saturday focusing on specific issues. From 11am to 12pm: Landscape, Ecology and Flooding; 1.30 to 2.30pm: Movement and Transport; 3 to 4pm: Facilities and Community Spaces and 4.30 to 5.30pm Defining Character.

The feasibility study work is being carried out to ensure there is a strong local framework in place to both help shape the future and also retain the character of the town centre.

It will look in detail at specific local issues, infrastructure needs and planning constraints and will explore potential housing allocations.

If you cannot attend, the exhibition will also be on the council’s website and you can contribute your views online until Monday, September 29.

In addition, the Risborough Information Centre Lane will have copies of all the reports, research and information relating to this work available for people to see. The event will take place on Friday, September 19 5.30 to 8pm and Saturday, September 20 from 10.30am to 6pm, at Risborough Community Centre, Stratton Road, Princes Risborough, HP27 9BH.