Villagers across East Devon are being given the chance to help shape the future of their communities from today (Friday).

The district council is drawing up a development plan document (DPD) for villages and the semi-rural business parks at Hill Barton and Greendale.

Feedback from the eight-week consultation will complement the Local Plan – East Devon’s planning blueprint for the next 12 years – which is set to be reviewed by a government inspector from February 11.

The DPD is being formulated with consideration of previous consultations and in cooperation with most of the parish councils.

Some communities may decide they want to go further than just telling East Devon District Council (EDDC) of their preferred sites and draw up a neighbourhood plan – as Beer has already done.

The closing date for feedback is noon on March 10. It will be used to write a revised document that will go out to consultation in the summer.

The DPD’s second draft will focus on specific policy for village development and boundaries, and responses will be considered by an inspector.

Hard copies of the documents can be viewed at EDDC’s Knowle HQ.

Representations can be made by emailing localplan@eastdevon.gov.uk, writing to Planning Policy, East Devon District Council, Knowle, Sidmouth, EX10 8HL, or directly through the online document at www.eastdevon.gov.uk/villagedpd.

l Beer Parish Council said residents’ first preference site for 40 homes is Short Furlong, or to the south of Park Road as a backup.

l In Branscombe the proposal is to build eight to 12 homes, half of which would be affordable, with the preferred sites being east of Higher House, or on the corner with Castle Hill behind the Mason’s Arms.

l Newton Poppleford parish councillors put forward five preferred sites from responses from the parish plan, including sites at King Alfred Way and Badger Close.

l Town councillors said the best option in Sidbury was Furzehill, in terms of access, but found it was not included in EDDC’s maps for the consultation.

As a result Burnt Oak was considered the better of two ‘poor’ sites for development, but members told the district council that they understand that the land at Furzehill is still available.