RESIDENTS are being asked for their views during a major consultation exercise that will help to shape a borough for decades to come.

Sedgefield Borough Council is holding a series of events to help to form its Local Development Framework.

The Framework will include issues such as key planning objectives, future housing sites, future employment sites, affordable housing, and renewable energy.

Planning officers will be on hand during the drop-in sessions to help to explain the issues and gather comments from residents.

"There are four main issues that we are consulting on," said Chris Myers, the council's forward planning manager.

"There's the core strategy which provides for high level planning, where new developments should be and how we should provide renewable energy.

"Affordable housing, which is obviously a key issue here and across the rest of the country with the rise in house prices.

"Major allocations where we look at new housing and employment sites, and a best practice guide, which is more for developers, and how they can incorporate renewable energy.

"In terms of housing we have identified 140 possible sites but only a very small percentage of these will actually be built on, or it may be that other sites are identified during the consultation."

Mr Myers said the Framework is only at the consultation stage and that the next document will go before an independent panel.

He said: "This is not just about what Sedgefield Borough Council wants, we want suggestions and comments from residents about what they want to see and where."

The drop-in sessions will be held on the following dates in the relevant town's central libraries: July 19, Sedgefield; July 30, Newton Aycliffe; July 31, Cornforth; August 6, Chilton: August 7, Shildon; August 9, Ferryhill; August 14, Trimdon.

Documents about the key issues are available to view on the council's website at www. sedgefield.gov.uk, alternatively hard copies can be requested at the council offices, on Green Lane, Spennymoor, or at local libraries.

To view lists and maps of the proposed housing and employment sites and fill in an on-line questionnaire visit the website www2. sedgefield.gov.uk/Major Allocations.