Community consultations are increasingly important to the running and growth of rural communities in Britain. They find out how a village or town feels about itself - its strengths, its weaknesses and how its residents want it to develop in the future. Everyone in the community has a say in the consultation's outcome, which will influence local planning decisions and the county-wide structure plan.

A major part of the Government's rural policy, there are several types of consultation exercise:

• Parish Plans incorporate information from both the above and, along with extra consultations, provide a Blueprint for Action;
• Village Design Statements review the buildings and natural environment of a settlement.

The WRCC can offer practical advice and support in setting up a consultation project in your community, getting funding and help from other communities who have worked on similar projects.

Find out more about the benefits of Parish Plans and a step-by-step guide to the Parish Planning process.

For further information contact:
Linda Ridgley, WRCC Field Officer
Tel: 02476 217345