A WHOLE new approach to planning, which "recognises that the best people say where future housing, business and community-related development should go", has moved a step closer.

Petersfield's neighbourhood plan, a Government-backed project which covers all aspects of development in the town and its surrounding villages, is gathering momentum after it was lauched in February.

It now has a new volunteer project manager on board to help spell out the importance of people contributing to the community plan and an interactive map where residents can go online to contribute to the project.

The plan, when completed, will form a legal document which the local planning authoirty will use to decide planning applciations. It will follow a referendum in 2014 involving townsfolk.

For full story, see this week's Petersfield Herald.