Proposals for up to 2,500 new homes and 13 hectares of business space go on display to Shepway residents this week.

The first public exhibition opened in Hythe today with Lydd and Sellindge hosting others this week.

The displays will then move to New Romney, Hawkinge and Folkestone before the end of the month.

It is part of Shepway District Council’s Places and Policies Local Plan which is setting out a strategy of where the best places for new homes, businesses and leisure facilities should be built.

Work has already been carried out by the council identifying some 56 sites across the district and the public is now being asked for its views on the sites and the planning policies for those sites.

This will help shape a planning blueprint for the next 10 years in Shepway.

"Developing policy is how districts plan for the future. It’s essential that local people have a say in that future." Cllr John Collier

The consultation launched on Friday and will run for six weeks until November 18.

Cllr John Collier, cabinet member for the district economy said: “Developing policy is how districts plan for the future. It’s essential that local people have a say in that future.

“Planning affects all of us in some way, whether it’s improving our local high street, providing a new park for our children to play in or making sure our neighbour’s extension is a suitable size.

“We know that Shepway, like the rest of the country, needs more homes. During this consultation we want local people to tell us where they want to live, work and enjoy themselves over the coming years so our district continues to flourish.”

Exhibitions will be held between 3pm and 8pm at the following places:

• Today (Wednesday) at Lydd Town Hall, High Street, Lydd
• Tomorrow (Thursday) Sellindge Village Hall, Ashford Road, Sellindge
• Thursday, October 20 in the New Romney Assembly Rooms, Church Approach, New Romney
• Tuesday, October 25 at Hawkinge Community Centre, Heron Forstal Avenue, Hawkinge
• Thursday, October 27 at Folkestone Academy, Academy Lane, Folkestone

Copies of the plans and the consultation are available in full via shepway.gov.uk/places-and-policies

Paper copies are available at local libraries and the Civic Centre, Castle Hill Avenue, Folkestone with response forms available.

Formal comments on the consultation can be made at shepway.gov.uk/telluswhatyouthink or by returning response forms to Planning Policy, Civic Centre, Castle Hill Avenue, Folkestone CT20 2QT.