A SERIES of public meetings is being held to help shape the future of a port town.

Since 2014 Newhaven Town Council has been asking residents, businesses and organisations about what they think makes the town special and what could be improved.

The feedback received through consultation events has been incorporated – where possible – into the Draft Neighbourhood Plan to ensure it has been shaped by the local community for the local community.

A residents’ focus group met regularly to give ideas on what the major issues are in the town and what it thought the Neighbourhood Plan needed to address.

Its support, and invaluable local knowledge, helped the town council in to produce a plan that it hopes fully reflects the aspirations of local people.

The Neighbourhood Plan sets out how Newhaven can be the best it can be through the provision of employment, improvement of the town centre, better transport links, protected and improved recreation spaces, the protection of natural assets and creating an environment that supports healthy living and well-being.

Newhaven Council is now consulting on the Draft Neighbourhood Plan from May 3.

It will run for seven weeks with all comments needing to be in by 5pm on June 21 at the latest.