York residents will get a further opportunity to have their say on how they should be involved in the city's planning process this spring.

Changes to the national planning system mean that City of York Council needs to prepare a series of documents called a Local Development Framework (LDF), which will replace the Local Plan. The framework outlines how the city will develop over the next two decades .

Involving the community in the planning process is a fundamental aim of the new scheme and the council has prepared a Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) as part of the LDF.  The statement will set out how the council plans to involve the community in the preparation and production of planning documents. It will explain when and how they can get involved, in both the new Local Development Framework and on major planning applications.

The draft document will be available for public viewing and comments from February 16 until March 30.

The Statement of Community Involvement can be viewed at all City of York Council libraries, the City Strategy reception at 9 St Leonard's Place or at the Guildhall reception.

It can also be viewed online on the council's website (www.york.gov.uk). Comments should be returned on the forms provided with the statement to: Statement of Community Involvement Consultation, City of York Council, City Strategy, FREEPOSY (YO239), York, YO1 7ZZ or email citydevelopment@york.gov.uk.

Residents were initially consulted on what should be included in York's SCI in 2005/06. Comments made by the public will be considered by an independent inspector as part of an examination of the SCI.