A SERIES of 'drop-in' events will be held in Otley over the coming weeks to give residents a say on the town's Neighbourhood Plan.

The events are being held as part of a three week, informal sites consultation phase as the Town Council works on refining proposals before they are presented to Leeds City Council.

Planning consultant Mike Dando told the council's Policy and Resources committee on Monday, November 14 that the scheme had reached an important stage.

He said: "We're cracking on in the preparation process now.

"It will be under a year when we hand the plan on to Leeds City Council and as things get more formal the need for increased publicity becomes more important."

The consultation will include sending letters to the landowners of all the sites mentioned in the plan along with five, ward-based drop-in events where residents can give their views.

They will be held at:

*Otley All Saints C of E Primary School on Tuesday, November 29 from 7pm to 9pm

*Otley Social Working Men's Club on Saturday, December 3 from 11am to 2pm

*Prince Henry's Grammar School on Tuesday, December 6 from 7pm to 9pm

*Otley Core Resource Centre on Saturday, December 10 from 11am to 2pm

*And at Grove hill Social Club from 7pm to 9pm on Tuesday, December 13

Councillor Mick Bradley (Green, Danefield) said he hoped for a good turnout: "This is important because it concerns a plan for where we'd like Otley to be going in the next 15 years."

The Otley Neighbourhood Plan is due to go to a six week, statutory consultation next March and April with its planned adoption date - which would follow a community referendum - set for August, 2018.