A DRAFT community plan for Hatherleigh has been published, with the team behind the plan asking for comments by the public.

Over the last year, the Hatherleigh Plan-It Group, made up of volunteers and town councillors, has been working hard on a community planning project bringing together views from local residents and businesses about planning and development in the town.

The publication of the plan marks a second consultation phase of the project, and a six-week feedback period now follows, ending on Thursday November 15. To reach this stage, the team has sent a survey to all households in the parish, held a one-day event, consulted with the public at Hatherleigh Market, and done many hours of research.

The group welcomes all comments from the public, and these responses can still influence the final content of the community plan. This consultation stage provides people who may be concerned over the future of Hatherleigh Market to share their views on planning possibilities for the future.

Gary Bush, Plan-It co-ordinator, said: 'The purpose of the community plan is to help shape the future of Hatherleigh.

'The Plan-It team have spent a lot of time trying to ensure that the plan reflects what the community told us and we would like people to read it and to respond if there is anything that is not clear or incorrect.'

The project began in the winter months of 2011, when the first community consultation was undertaken to ask the resident of the Hatherleigh parish what they feel is important for the community in the present and the future.

Once finalised, the plan will be used by West Devon Borough Council to assist them in making planning decisions on the future development of the parish. It will also give the community and its service providers a vision on what type of actions to implement in the town.

Clare Tyson, Plan-It co-ordinator, said: 'Hatherleigh is trailblazing the new community-led planning policy. The localism bill has created the opportunity to have a say like never before and Hatherleigh is keen to embrace this.'

Paper copies are available to borrow at Hatherleigh Community Centre, Old Schools, the Post Office and the Paper Shop. There will also be the opportunity to talk to members of the Plan-It group at feedback sessions at Hatherleigh Community Centre on Saturday October 27 and Old Schools on Saturday November 3, running from 10am to 1pm each day.