OTLEY residents are being urged to grasp 'a unique chance' to help shape the town's future.

A final, six week consultation on the Neighbourhood Plan will begin on Friday, September 8 and run through to October 20.

The consultation, which will include five drop-in sessions, represents the last opportunity for residents to influence a document that will have far-reaching implications.

The completed plan's policies will seek to protect the character of Otley while guiding new developments across a variety of sectors including housing, employment and transport.

Feedback gathered over the coming weeks will be used to make amendments before the proposals are submitted to Leeds City Council for an independent assessment.

The approved plan will then come back to the town to be put to a referendum next year, before it is adopted.

Otley Town Council Chair Ray Georgeson (Lib Dem, Danefield) said: "This is a unique opportunity for residents, business and organisations to have their say and help shape the future development of Otley for generations to come.

"As such, we appeal to people to familiarise themselves with the plan’s key points and offer any comments they have for consideration."

The plan covers the whole parish of Otley together with the adjacent Throstle Nest and Riverside estates, which are within the Harrogate District.

If adopted, its guidelines would have to be taken into account by any future planning applications for the area.

Otley's MP Alex Sobel (Lab, Leeds North West) hopes lots of people will get involved in the consultation.

He said: "I urge everyone who lives or works in Otley to read the summary or the full plan, and comment on the policies."

Work on the plan began in 2012 under a previous, Labour-run town council and was continued when the current, Lib-Dem controlled council was elected.

Throughout the whole process a steering group of volunteers has played a key role - painstakingly gathering community views along with expert advice.

Mr Sobel added: "I congratulate all those who have been involved, as Otley Neighbourhood Plan is a great example of community volunteers and members of local political parties coming together for the benefit of the town."

The drop-in consultation sessions will be held at:

*Westgate Primary School from 7pm to 9pm on Tuesday, September 19

*Otley All Saints Primary School from 7pm to 9pm on Tuesday, September 26

*Weston Lane Social Club from 11am to 3pm on Saturday, September 30

*Otley Core from 11am to 3pm on Saturday, October 7

*And Newall Church Hall from 7pm to 9pm on Wednesday, October 11.

The proposed plan, along with supporting documents, can be viewed at otleytowncouncil.gov.uk/planning/what-is-the-neighbourhood-plan/presubmission-plan-consultation .

A list of locations where hard copies of the documents can be found is also listed on the page.

Comments can be left at any of the drop-in events or by filling in a questionnaire at surveymonkey.co.uk/r/presubmissionplan .

Paper questionnaires are also available - for more details contact the town council at: eo@otleytowncouncil.gov.uk, (01943) 466335.