A TEN year plan for land use in Burnley will be discussed when MP Peter Pike meets council planners this week.

The MP is to get together with Sue Graham, head of planning, and Michael Wellock, the officer responsible for organising the new local plan, on Friday.

The local plan determines how land will be used for the next ten years for jobs, housing, shopping, and leisure. Mr Pike said: "It is very important that local people get involved so that they can have their say on how they want the town to develop. The decisions will affect quality of life for many years, it is very important we get it right."

Mr Pike said during his years as MP he had received many letters and petitions from angry residents opposing developments such as Lowerhouse Lodges, Briercliffe and Lanehead. He said: "Whilst we have to have development it should be done as sensitively as possible.

"At Friday's meeting I intend to find out as much as possible about what is being proposed and also to remind the officers of some of the many campaigns mounted by Burnley residents over the last few years. I hope that by all working together we can minimise problems in the future."

To get involved write to Mr Wellock, planning officer, Burnley Borough Council, Parker Lane Offices, Burnley, or tel 01282 425011.