Wymondham residents are being given the chance to help shape the future of their own town.

South Norfolk Council will begin a consultation in January which will ask householders how they want the historic market town to develop over the next 15 years.

The responses will help form the Wymondham Area Action Plan, which will not only provide a blueprint of where new housing should be built but will also outline the infrastructure required, public transport needs and desired employment opportunities.

Wymondham will grow by at least 2,200 homes by 2026, according to the Joint Core Strategy adopted earlier this year.

Due to the amount of housing allocated and pressures being exerted by developers who in recent months have submitted proposals for large-scale housing developments around the town, the council decided an action plan specifically tailored towards the growth of Wymondham should be compiled.

Speaking at a cabinet meeting on Monday, Tim Horspole, planning and housing policy manager at South Norfolk Council, said: 'This is a very important piece of work we need to be doing for Wymondham given that there are tremendous development interests in the area presently.

'It will not just be about housing but retail and employment. This will be the opportunity for residents to shape the future of Wymondham and give us an idea of how they would like their town to develop and grow over to period up to 2026.'

Joe Mooney, who represents Wymondham, added: 'I'm absolutely delighted that South Norfolk Council is proposing to take out an action plan for the town. It will give an opportunity for people to have their say on Wymondham and I encourage everyone to take part.

'Once this document is established it would become a development document and councillors can refer to it when determining planning application so it's going to be very important.'

The consultation will involve the distribution of a questionnaire to all households asking for opinions on topics such as where new employment land should be located, what types of shops are required in the town centre and which services and facilities people would most like to see.

A series of public exhibitions will take place and consultation documents will also be sent to surrounding parish councils.

The Wymondham Area Action Plan should be complete by 2013.