RESIDENTS in East Bury can take a peek into the future, or at least at some of the possibilities, when a special consultation event is staged tomorrow (Wed Nov 21).

The town's Jinnah Day Centre in Alfred Street, will host the Planning For Real event, to take place between 10.30am-7pm,

And locals are invited to call in at any time during the day. The event is seen as another part of the on-going consultation exercise which is tied into the Neighbourhood Renewal Assessment which has been taking place.

That has involved around 2,700 private householders and council tenants, together with local businesses, in an area that runs from Bell Lane and Rochdale Road down through Pimhole to the railway line, in a massive information gathering exercise. All private sector properties have been inspected externally with a quarter undergoing a full internal inspection.

The facts gathered have provided a condition check on homes in the area on a block by block basis.

In addition there has been a response rate of more than 25 per cent to a residents' questionnaire circulated locally and talks have also taken place with housing associations, voluntary organisations, residents' groups and even schools.

Bury Council's executive member for health, housing and social services, Councillor Mike Connolly, said: "The aim of the Neighbourhood Renewal Assessment has been to help us identify and then look at ways to tackle problems which are specific to the area concerned.

"What we want to do is bring about real change for local people and through this comprehensive consultation and fact finding initiative, we have gone quite some way to achieving that."

The planning event will allow residents to come along and look over some initial proposals which have been drawn up.

There will be a chance to see plans which will be on display, chat with council staff and identify any further areas of concern.

Loccal authority acting principal environmental health officer, Siobhan McCoy, added: "We do want to encourage local people to highlight other problems which may have been overlooked and even help us identify solutions and suggestions to overcome them.

"The focus of the day though will be on private sector housing renewal and associated regeneration issues.

"We see this as an important step in the whole Assessment process and those who do attend the event can be sure that they will be helping to shape the future of their area and their community for many years to come."

She added: "If anyone requires further information in advance of the day they should contact me on 0161-253-6358."