NEW planning laws for Northwich are entering into their final stages.

A final version of Northwich Neighbourhood Plan is nearing completion following three years of consultation and surveys, including more than 200 written submissions from the public.

A statement from the Northwich Town Council neighbourhood plan steering committee said: "Although this is a significant milestone there remain several stages before the plan can be considered suitable to become planning law for Northwich.

"The first stage is to make sure the plan complies with planning regulation and law, the second is to submit the plan to an independent planning inspector who will decide if the plan can be submitted to a public referendum where the residents opinions are properly accounted for.

"If the residents of Northwich vote to approve the adoption of the plan then it will become planning law and govern the future development of Northwich for the next 15 years."

The group expects to be ready for referendum by mid to late summer.