Local residents wanting to have their say in the future shape of the city will be getting a helping hand, thanks to City of York Council.

As part of the council's consultation on the city's Local Development Plan (LDP), Planning Aid, an independent source of information and advice about planning, will be hosting four workshops to help residents get involved in the process.

The consultation will allow local residents, community groups and parish councils to have their say on proposals for York's first ever long term development plan.

Planning aid provides free, independent, professional assistance with planning problems, targeted at community and voluntary groups and needy individuals. It is provided by Yorkshire Planning Aid (YPA) via the Yorkshire Branch of the Royal Town Planning Institute.

Mike Dando, Yorkshire Planning Aid, said: "The workshops are part of YPA's programme for facilitating more informed and effective public participation in development plan preparation.

"Anyone needing help understanding the York Local Plan, the preparation process, the stage reached in the process and, crucially, how to make effective representations to the plan, should come along to one of the four seminars being held over the next fortnight."

Councillor Alan Jones, the council's acting executive member for planning, said: "We approached Planning Aid because we wanted to offer something over and above the more traditional council exhibitions. The Local Plan will have a enormous impact on the shape and form of the city in the future and it's vital that residents have an effective input into the consultation process. Planning Aid's contribution will make it easier for people to get involved."

The Planning Aid workshops will take place at venues across the city: Priory Street Centre, Priory Street. 7.00-9.00pm on Wednesday, January 22, 2003 Oaklands Sports Centre, Cornlands Road, Acomb. 7.00pm-9.00pm on Thursday, January 23, 2003 Burnholme Community College, Bad Bargain Lane. 7.00pm-9.00pm on Thursday, January 30, 2003 Orchard Park Community Centre, Badger Paddock, Huntington. 7.00pm-9.00pm on Tuesday February 4, 2003