Ottery residents are being called upon to shape the future of their parish as a costly project finally gets the go-ahead.

After being plagued with setbacks and uncertainty, Ottery Town Council is pressing forward with its Neighbourhood Development Plan, designed to give people a say over the growth and development of their area.

Up to £20,000 of town funds have been set aside to finance the initiative – which was first touted in September 2013, but ground to a halt in June 2014 after it was decided Ottery had ‘missed the boat’.

Councillors gave the plan the green light in October last year and now want people to come forward as the consultation process gets under way.

Councillor Martin Thurgood said: “We really want to press on now and we want the public to be involved. It is the council together with the community - we are really enthusiastic and fired up and ready to go.

“We have suffered too long from the lack of an up-to-date district council Local Plan and that has meant unplanned development, especially from new housing.”

In addition to the £20,000 set aside by the town council, civic leaders hope to be eligible for a chunk of central and local government funding.

East Devon District Council agreed in January 2015 to designate the whole parish - from West Hill to Wiggaton and Fenny Bridges to Tipton St John - as the area for a neighbourhood plan

The first step will be to consult widely with the local community and keep people engaged and informed as the plan develops.

Anyone interested in helping can call the town clerk on 01404 812252 or email enquiries@otterystmary-tc.gov.uk.