A BLUEPRINT of the sites identified for development by West Devon planners over the next decade will be unveiled before the public next month.

The planners have been required by government to find land for more than 4,000 houses to be built in the borough over the next ten years. And the public will get the opportunity to see the proposed sites at a series of exhibitions to be staged across the district.

Cllr Nick Morgan, chairman of the council's strategic development committee, called for as many people as possible to go along to the Local Plan exhibitions and make their views known.

'It is absolutely crucial that residents take the time to study the sites we are suggesting should be developed,' he said.

'People often say that they want to be more involved in the planning process of their area. This is the ideal opportunity to take part in that process.'

The Structure Plan, which was adopted by Devon County Council last year, gave figures for the amount of housing and employment land that every district in the county needs to provide up to 2011.

It states that West Devon must find sites for 4,100 houses, including 880 at Okehampton and 550 for Tavistock, and provide 35 hectares of employment land.

On September 11, West Devon's Local Plan goes before the public for six months consultation.

Mr Morgan said: 'The Local Plan will involve difficult decisions being taken about the location of the new housing. The alternative will be that the fate of West Devon might be taken out of the hands of local people.'

Head of the borough's planning and development Stephen Gill said: 'Far too often people tend to get involved in planning only at the planning application stage and not at the start of the process.

'Given that planning applications are determined on the policies within the Local Plan, for people to have a real influence, it is paramount that they get involved at this stage.'

The West Devon Local Plan exhibitions will be staged on the following dates:

l Saturday, September 9, Okehampton Charter Hall 10am to 4pm

l Tuesday, September 12, The Old School Room, Hatherleigh 2pm to 8pm

l Wednesday, September 13, Lifton Church Hall 2pm to 8pm

l Thursday, September 14, Bere Alston Village Hall 2pm to 8pm

l Wednesday, September 20, The Town Hall, North Tawton 2pm to 8pm

l Saturday, September 23, Tavistock Pannier Market 10am to 4pm.