Businesses, councils and the public are being asked to help shape Breckland over the next 26 years.

Breckland District Council has launched a consultation to help develop a local plan for the area.

This would include preferred sites for housing and industrial development.

The Issues and Options document is the first stage in developing a plan which will take the council up to 2030.

As part of the consultation process the document offers a number of policy options and asks interested parties to give their opinions and alternative ideas.

In his foreword to the document Mark Kiddle-Morris, Breckland's executive member for assets and strategic development, said: 'The Local Plan will consider the housing target for the district.

'This is the first time that the council have had the opportunity to set our own target.

'In addition to this, the document also considers how this housing growth is spatially distributed across Breckland.

'It also considers employment, retail, the natural and historic environment and how to approach Breckland's countryside.'

The Issues and Options consultation document includes a number of questions about each issue and area which the council is hoping to get answers to.

When complete the Local Plan will replace the current Core Strategy document which outlines policy for development in Breckland.

The online consultation launched on Monday and you can have your say by visiting www.breckland.gov.uk/content/emerging-local-plan

The consultation is open until January 9.

People can also suggest land that they would like Breckand to consider for allocation. Sites can be submitted for consideration through www.breckland.gov.uk/content/consultations-contact-us or call the planning policy team on 01362 656870.

For the full document see: consult.breckland.gov.uk/portal/planning policy/local_plan/local_plan?pointId=2822799#document-2822799