PEOPLE in Devon will have their say on the future of the county in a major consultation on issues such as housing, employment and the environment.

To help people give their views on Devon's future an issues leaflet and questionnaire have been published, reviewing the Devon Structure Plan.

The consultation exercise has been launched by the county's four strategic planning authorities — Devon County Council, Plymouth City Council, Torbay Council and Dartmoor National Park Authority — to help guide Devon's long-term development.

These authorities are responsible for reviewing the Devon Structure Plan -the county's strategic planning blueprint.

Councillor Eileen Salloway, the chairman of the Joint Committee responsible for preparing the Structure Plan, said: 'Housing, schools, jobs and the environment, these are all issues which touch everyone's lives.

'It is crucial that Devon's Structure Plan strikes a balance between meeting essential development needs and at the same time conserving the quality of our precious environment.

'That's why it is important people throughout Devon have the chance to give us their views.'

The deadline for comments will be Thursday, December 13, 2001.

The Structure Plan will also take into account Government proposals on the need to build an extra 14,500 homes in the county between 2011 and 2016.

Copies of the issues leaflet and questionnaire are available on the Information Devon website at http://www.devon.gov.uk/structureplan/homepage.html">http://www.devon.gov.uk/structureplan/homepage.html or by telephoning 01392 382275. Copies are also available for viewing at libraries and District Council offices, and have been sent to District and Parish Councils and special interest groups.

The Draft Plan for Devon covering the period to 2016 will be published next spring.