Bankside neighbourhood plan: last chance to comment

Neighbourhood plans were introduced by the coalition government to give local people greater influence over planning policy but it has taken five years for Bankside's plan to come together.

Now the document us out for its final round of consultation before being handed to Southwark Council to move the process forward.

Residents and businesses will eventually have the chance to vote in a referendum to decide whether the neighbourhood plan becomes part of the borough's planning policy.

The plan covers an area stretching from Hatfields in the west to Borough High Street in the east, and south to Surrey Row and Mint Street Park.

"Bankside's location, and its unique mix of the old and the new, brings the greatest pressures for development anywhere in the borough," said Tim Wood, chair of Bankside Neighbourhood Forum.

"This growth brings opportunities – both to Bankside and to the rest of Southwark – but shouldn't be at the expense of what's special here.

"Bankside's community has been working together for more than four years on this plan because we believe that being part of the planning system is an opportunity worth grasping. If you haven't already, please add your voice now."

Find out more at www.wearebankside.com – the deadline for responses is Friday 10 June.

Bankside Residents' Forum will be holding an open forum on Thursday evening to discuss its response to the the neighbourhood plan.