Newtown Town Council has embarked on a new initiative to help shape the future of the town.

The town council have launched the "Newtown & Llanllwchaiarn Place Plan", which they say is the first of it's kind in Powys and will enable residents to have a say in how the town develops over the next ten to fifteen years.

So-called Place Plans were recently introduced by Welsh Government as a way of encouraging greater engagement in local decision making.

The town council say main focus of the plan is land-use, town planning and development, however, it will also highlight wider issues of local concern and help set priorities for how funds are spent in the future.

Cllr Richard Edwards, who is leading the project, said: “We hope that as many local people as possible get involved in putting this plan together. It will influence what happens in the town over the next 10-15 years and has a much wider remit than the Town Council’s own 5 Year plan. It will contain planning guidance that will go to Powys County Council for formal adoption. The views and evidence we collect will also be vital in attracting investment into the town, such as the recent £1.1 million lottery funding”.

The Place Plan work is led by Newtown & Llanllwchaiarn Town Council and supported by Powys County Council Planning and Regeneration Departments.

Cabinet Member for Economy and Planning, Councillor Martin Weale said: “The County Council is pleased to support the Town Council in the preparation of the first place plan in Powys planning area & the opportunity this provides to support the ongoing regeneration of Newtown.”

The project is also supported by Place Plan specialists Planning Aid Wales and Place Studio.

“As project consultants, we are excited to be supporting Newtown Town Council and to be working directly with local community groups and residents in Newtown over the coming months," said a spokesperson.

"A Place Plan is an important document that allows the community to influence decisions about the future of their area and we are pleased to be part of the project team helping to take it forward".