Residents of a South Norfolk town and the surrounding villages have just one week left to have their say on the first draft of a plan which will shape their future.

The Diss and District neighbourhood plan aims to create a blueprint for how Diss and the surrounding villages will develop over the coming years.

A legally binding document, neighbourhood plans give communities the opportunity to influence the amount and location of new housing in their area, commercial development and how infrastructure such as new roads, schools and health care facilities should be built and developed.

Bringing together the parishes of Diss, Burston and Shimpling, Brome and Oakley, Palgrave, Roydon, Scole, and Stuston the neighbourhood plan is unique in that it will operate across two different counties.

The first draft of the plan, which lays out an initial vision for 'a vibrant community centred around a thriving market town', has already been sent to more than 6,700 homes in the area.

But, with the deadline for the public consultation looming, the steering group responsible for putting together the document are encouraging more people to come forward with their ideas and feedback on the initial plan.

Mike Bootman, chairman of the Diss and District Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group said: 'The steering group needs to know that people agree with the direction it is suggesting, as well getting replies from those who might have any concerns or alternative ideas.

'It is a community-led plan that will shape the future of the Diss Area.'

Keen to emphasise that the plan is a 'people's plan' for how Diss should grow and develop he said: 'Everyone is being offered choices about the way the neighbourhood plan could develop.

'If people don't make the most of this chance to have their say - especially if they agree - then they might be over-ruled by a vocal minority with different ideas.'

The public consultation on the first draft of the plan will close on Friday, March 16.

To view the draft plan visit: www.dndneighbourhoodplan.co.uk, an online survey can also be filled out via: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/8ZPGQ96.