THE Bridestowe and Sourton Neighbourhood Plan is now close to completion, with members of the public invited to cast their eyes over the document one final time before it goes forward for official scrutiny.

The plan is a blueprint of what the community want to see in terms of facilities and housing.

In future, once adopted, it must be taken into consideration by the planning authorities, West Devon Borough Council and the Dartmoor National Park Authority, when it looks at planning applications.

It has now got to the Regulation 16 stage which is when it goes out for one last consultation before being scrutinised by a formal examiner.

If the plan gets through this examination phase the plan will then go forward to a referendum of the residents of the two parishes.

If a majority of residents are in favour of adopting the plan the document will play influential part in all planning decisions made at WDBC that relate to the two parishes.

Neighbourhood plan group chairman Professor Peter Fleming said: ‘After all the hard work that everyone has put in it is fantastic to get sight of the finishing line. This is a great moment for the two parishes who will now have a greater say in the future of their communities through this planning document.

The document includes a ‘wish list’ for some of the facilities the community would like to see, including a new primary school for Bridestowe next to the village hall and more leisure facilities for teenagers.

The plan has identified that 12 affordable houses are needed in the two communities,

This last consultation is focused on whether the plan meets something called the Basic Condition Statement, as set out by legislation. The plan can be viewed at www.bridestowe.org.uk or a hard copy is available from Ali Young, Glebe Park, Pigs Leg Lane, Bridestowe EX20 4ER. The consultation runs from June 29 to August 19.