Everything you need to know as window to have your say on Sunderland's future opens
The window to have your say opened at the start of September
Communities across Sunderland are being invited to give their first thoughts on a new Local Plan and how the city develops over the next 20 years.
All councils overseeing planning and development draw up a Local Plan which outlines how an area might develop and where new homes, jobs and infrastructure could be.
As part of an early engagement exercise with residents, businesses, public bodies and other stakeholders, Sunderland City Council is now collecting thoughts on what the main issues are for Sunderland’s next Local Plan. These thoughts and comments will help the council develop the vision and objectives for the plan.
The council is also asking for views on how best to consult residents on an ongoing basis as the plan is developed.
Leader of Sunderland City Council, Councillor Chris Eynon said: "The Local Plan helps residents, employers and developers to understand how the city will be developed over the next 20 years. The Local Plan is an important document as it guides where new development will take place and identifies important areas to be protected.
"All residents and every business, group or organisation with a stake in Sunderland are urged to let us know their initial thoughts and to engage with the process as the plan is developed.
"I'd encourage as many people as possible to share their thoughts and continue to engage with us as the plan is developed over the next few years."
The window to have your say runs through September until 5pm on Tuesday 29 September.
This scoping stage is the very start of the Local Plan engagement process and the Council have said there will be many more opportunities for residents to have their say as the Local Plan drafts are developed.
Cllr Eynon added: "This is the start of a big conversation about Sunderland's future, and we want to hear from as many people as possible. Whether you have views on housing, transport, neighbourhood centres, employment, green spaces or community facilities, your feedback can help shape the direction of the plan.
"I would encourage everyone with an interest in Sunderland's future to take part, complete the survey, share their thoughts and tell us what matters most to them. The views we receive will help inform the next stages of the Local Plan and ensure local communities are at the heart of the process."
You can have your say via the link on the Sunderland City Council website.
As Sunderland begins work on its next Local Plan, similar work has begun in Durham, Gateshead, Newcastle and Northumberland.