LAND use in the Crediton area is to be discussed at a meeting in Crediton on Saturday, March 23.

The Crediton Community Conversation entitled “Our future town - your chance to say” is a free event, which will take place in the Boniface Centre from 9.30am to 1pm.

The event is being organised by Sustainable Crediton and Crediton Town Council and will invite discussion on open spaces, energy, employment, biodiversity, housing, travel and food, to name a few of the suggestions.

There will be a guest speaker, Georgie Barber, who is a Land Use Champion and the Land Use and Countryside Programme Lead at the Food, Farming and Countryside Commission.

The Mayor of Crediton, Cllr Liz Brookes-Hocking, told the Crediton Courier: “The intention of this event is to find out from the local community, including representatives from our surrounding villages, what they think is needed in the town and what the wider community wants to see land used for in Crediton, when it comes forward for development.

“We are inviting local landowners, businesses, community groups and other stakeholders to join us for our discussion.

“The event is focused on Crediton, but we recognise that developments here can affect the wider area.

“Our neighbouring parishes may be impacted by infrastructure proposals as well as new housing and highways.

“We are therefore extending this invitation to councillors and interested residents in communities whose populations come to the town for many purposes, such as employment, professional services, shopping, education and social activities.”

She continued: “Our guest speaker will present aspects of Land Use and groups of participants will have the opportunity to discuss and put forward their ideas.

“This event will also assist the town council in reviewing the existing Neighbourhood Plan.

“We will collate the information from this event and potentially feed this into the new local plan, Plan Mid Devon, when it comes forward for consultation.”

To register for the event, follow the link: htttps://forms.office.com.e/daGg6BzpQB or register at the event on the day.