RESIDENTS are invited to have their say on the changing face of house building in Leigh.

Wigan Council's planning and regeneration department is urging the public to speak up about new proposals for open spaces and how applications for new housing developments are assessed.

The council aims to place a greater emphasis on the design for new estates as well as looking at improvements, such as the provision of children's play areas, when they are built.

Developers will be told which aspects of their plans are appropriate and a scale of charges will be introduced to ensure they make a contribution to creating and caring for open spaces and play areas as part of any development.

Full details are available from libraries, the planning and regeneration department's headquarters at the Civic Buildings on New Market Street, Wigan, and online at: www.wiganmbc.gov.uk/pub/planning/pagesComments should be made by Monday April 18.