IT IS time the people of Truro had their say, according to council chiefs considering the development blueprint for expansion over the next 20 years.

The wide-ranging Truro and Threemilestone Area Action Plan (TTAAP) outlines the preferred options for fulfilling government demands for 6,400 new homes and 9,500 new jobs.

Now Carrick District Council has agreed to spend months seeking the views of the people who live and work in Truro.

Planning officers and councillors said it was needed to guarantee local people had a say over where development takes place.

Once accepted it would be used to guide development.

The fear is that without it, developers could submit plans to build anywhere, including 'greenfield' countryside sites, and win permission on appeal to the Government if rejected by Carrick.

But the most vocal objector, Cllr Miriam Richardson, for Kenwyn and Chacewater, said it unfairly lumbered most of the homes – 5,400 – on her constituents' doorsteps.

It also includes controversial plans for a new distributor road through Besore, south of Highertown and Threemilestone.

Cllr Richardson told the special meeting of the full council: "I want to fight against the elements which have a direct detrimental effect on the people I represent and we members from Kenwyn and Chacewater are fighting a lonely battle.

"This is representative of the fact that I feel you don't care for Threemilestone.

"It's one rule for one and another for the other.

"The Besore valley is very beautiful and accessible and the proposed distributor road will effectively destroy a viable conservation and natural area.

"Consultation must be real, serious engagement and not just a rubber stamp as people fear it will be."

Her call for the proposed development areas of Higher Newham and Tolgarrick to be included in the TTAAP because it "forces development towards Threemilestone" was backed by Cllr Elisabeth West.

But despite his campaign group, Truro Concern, having proposed its own alternative plan to counter the pressures of climate change, Cllr Bert Biscoe, for Moresk, believed approving the TTAAP for consultation was the right way forward.

He said: "I welcome the chance for the people of Truro to tell the council, Government, Her Majesty, that this is barmy.

"Not only are we going to see the community say that but also that we need to change – otherwise the world will change to such an extent we won't be able to inhabit it.

"We have to plan for reality rather than lunatic plans.

"I think it's barmy at a time when we should be looking at the environment and asking how much land we need."

Carrick's planning officers confirmed the TTAAP could be altered according to consultation results before it becomes policy in 2010.

The consultation period will be officially launched in the next few weeks.

Members, approving the move by a vote of 24 to 4, also praised Carrick's planning officers' hard work on the TTAAP.

For further information log on to www.carrick.gov.uk