RURAL communities in the Royal Wootton Bassett and Cricklade community area are working together to create a neighbourhood plan.

A steering group has been set up and has agreed to push forward with the preparation of a neighbourhood plan focusing on the rural communities within the area.

It is intended that the plan will cover the parishes of Broad Town, Clyffe Pypard, Lydiard Millicent, Lydiard Tregoze, Lyneham and Bradenstoke, Purton and Tockenham.

The parishes of Braydon and Marston Meysey have also been invited to join the process. The plan will be known as the North East Wiltshire Villages Neighbourhood Plan and the first step will be for the parishes to submit an application to Wiltshire Council outlining the parameters of the proposed neighbourhood area.

Ray Thomas, of Purton Parish Council, has been elected as chair of the NEW-V steering group, and John Bennett of Lydiard Millicent Parish Plan Steering Group as vice-chairman.