Parish council given additional development powers

Sockbridge and Tirril Parish Council will have more say over how land in the area is to be used

A parish council has been granted the right to contribute to how its area is shaped through planning decisions.

Sockbridge and Tirril Parish Council, near Penrith, Cumbria, now has the right to create its own neighbourhood plan after being designated a neighbourhood area.

These plans are designed to give residents more say on how their area develops and how land is used for housing, infrastructure and green spaces.

Westmorland and Furness Council cabinet member Peter Thornton said neighbourhood plans allow communities to "take control of elements of development" and urged other councils to consider applying for neighbourhood area status.

"Residents know their communities better than anyone and can use these tools to be clear about how their place develops sustainably," he said.

Sockbridge and Tirril Parish Council will have more say over how land in the area is to be used

Neighbourhood plans form part of the Liberal Democrat-led local authority's wider development plan, which is a series of policies used to determine planning applications.

The plans are created by the local community but cannot undermine the larger council's overarching policies.

Sockbridge and Tirril Parish Council applied for the status in December.

Following a six-week consultation, Westmorland and Furness Council said it was satisfied the area was appropriate for neighbourhood status and granted the new powers.