OVERTON Parish Council is encouraging the local community to get involved with the area’s Neighbourhood Plan (NP).

The council has expressed its disappointment in interest from residents and has highlighted the importance of the plan, which will help to shape the village’s future.

Council clerk Laura Harley said: “We have now written about this subject several times but community support has not been forthcoming.

“Be very clear, without a NP all decisions on the future shape and size of our village will be taken exclusively by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council and potential developers.

“Although the parish council has decided, in principle, that Overton should have a NP, it does not have the physical resources to manage and implement a plan.

“We need a team of enthusiastic people ranging from an overall project manager to those prepared to deliver and collect questionnaires.

“If you think you have time or skills to offer, please speak to the chairman or the parish clerk.”

All are welcome to the neighbourhood planning group meetings, with the next one scheduled to take place on Monday in the Overton Community Centre, starting at 7.30pm, with a discussion to be held on the design of future housing in Overton.