Have your say on what you want for Rushden over the next 25 years

The Rushden Plan is a 25-year neighbourhood plan being prepared and worked on by Rushden Town Council.

The plan covers various topics, including housing, employment, open space and leisure, connectivity, the town centre and design and conservation.

It is designed to give people the chance to influence what type of place they want Rushden to be for future generations.

A spokesman for Rushden Town Council said: “We have already undertaken town-wide consultation in the form of an initial communications and participation strategy and a main issues consultation, both of which were delivered to every home in Rushden.

“We have also undertaken numerous public exhibitions at events within the town and have visited many groups and organisations.

“After taking all comments and suggestions on board, we have now produced a final draft neighbourhood plan.

“We are now looking to undertake further public consultation under Regulation 14 and will be organising a public exhibition of the proposals in locally accessible places.

“The consultation will run from Friday, March 17, until 5pm on Tuesday, May 2.

“A public exhibition will be held at Rushden Hall throughout the consultation period and there will be two further drop-in sessions on Wednesday, March 29, and Wednesday, April 19, at two additional venues within the town.

“Further details of these events will be released nearer the time.”

The final draft of the plan will also be available for viewing on the town council website.

Once the consultation closes, the council will collate and review all the responses received and consider any amendments to be made to the plan before it is formally submitted to East Northamptonshire Council (ENC).

And following consultation with ENC, the plan will be published for a further period of formal consultation before it can be submitted for examination by an independent examiner and then finally to proceed to a referendum vote later this year.