MALTON and Norton residents are being encouraged to help shape the future their towns.

The North Yorkshire Council Executive has given the go ahead to the Malton and Norton Neighbourhood Plan referendum to take place on October 3.

A spokesperson for the Neighbourhood Plan Steering Committee said: "The Neighbourhood Plan has been produced by and for local residents. This marks the final stage of many years of work involving thousands of hours of volunteers time and many rounds of consultation to listen to local peoples views on how they want to shape our community into the future.

"If you care about our towns and their future please take the trouble to vote."

If supported by a majority, the Neighbourhood Plan will be adopted and will become part of the formal statutory planning framework. This means that all planning decisions will need to take into account the policies set out in the Plan.

The spokesperson added: "With the loss of Ryedale District Council and the formation of North Yorkshire Council and concerns about the loss of local representation this provides our towns with very important safeguards.

"An adopted Neighbourhood Plan will also provide additional funding through the Community Infrastructure Levy to be spent locally.

Summarised, the vision in the Neighbourhood Plan is based on the rich heritage and culture of Malton and Norton from their historical origins;

- New housing and employment growth and opportunities will be enabled, within the context of an even higher quality environment and improved infrastructure

- New and improved road, cycling and pedestrian links and the promotion of active travel will help alleviate traffic congestion and air pollution in our town centres

-Tourism which is vital to our towns will continue to grow powered by the twin engines of heritage and culture

- The local food and horse-racing industries which are so much a part of the towns and their hinterland will be supported and developed further

- The three conservation areas will be better protected and their appearance and character enhanced by new development and other improvements

- The River Derwent is the other jewel in our crown. The vision is of a Derwent that floods less (or not at all), remains ecologically rich but which offers sympathetic riverside enhancements and the positive use of under-utilised riverside land.

The spokesperson said: "At root, the vision states that people in our towns should be able to freely enjoy an abundance of simple pleasures in a well-supported and fully serviced community. There is an aspiration to enjoy culturally rich and vibrant leisure opportunities, including improvement of existing services and the development of new facilities and wellness activities."

To view the full Neighbourhood Plan and its supporting documents go to the link at https://www.malton-tc.gov.uk/malton-norton-neighbourhood-plan/

Hard copies are available to read at Malton Town Council and Norton on Derwent Town Council Offices.