THE people of Crediton, from the surrounding area and across Mid Devon still have a chance to make decisions or comment on plans for the area in which they live.

Mid Devon District Council has now prepared a final consultation draft of the Mid Devon Local Plan Part Three.

The Local Plan Part Three: Development Management Policies, is the latest of the council's planning policy documents and will help shape the future of Mid Devon.

It promotes development in suitable locations and protects the environment from significant harm and inappropriate development. It does not allocate new sites for development. The plan reflects new national planning guidance and will replace the last policies from the old Local Plan which dates from 2006.

The LP3 covers such matters as protecting community facilities, renewable energy and low-carbon development, rural housing, high-quality design, parking for new developments and promoting town centres.

The new plan will affect a wide range of people including Mid Devon residents, businesses, landowners or people with a professional interest in development.

For example, it could affect people who want to build an extension/garage/home office at their property, convert a redundant building to a new dwelling or open a shop or business, or develop an existing one; and people who want to build new houses.

It will also be of interest to anyone who wants to oppose or object to new development.

To help people in the Crediton area understand the new plan, the council is holding public information event on Wednesday, October 3 in the Council Chamber, Market Street, from 12.30pm to 2.30pm and 5pm to 7pm.

Details are also available to view online at: http://www.middevon.gov.uk/lp3">www.middevon.gov.uk/lp3 .

This consultation follows Mid Devon's "Issues and Options" document produced in April 2011, when the plan was being called the "Development Management Development Plan Document".

Anyone can make a formal representation about the Plan which will be considered by an independent Planning Inspector, by: Completing a questionnaire or by sending a letter to: Local Plan consultation, Forward Planning, Mid Devon District Council, Phoenix House, Phoenix Lane, Tiverton EX16 6PP or by sending an email to: [email protected]">[email protected] .

Deadline for the receipt of comments is October 29.