THE draft York Local Plan now ready to go out for final public consultation is a blueprint that will shape the development of York up until 2030. For most ordinary people, however, its importance boils down to homes, jobs - and transport.

One of the big shocks of the document is that it proposes significantly fewer new homes than the earlier draft - just 17,000 between now and 2030, rather than the 22,000 originally proposed.

York is in desperate need of affordable housing. Yet there were real concerns about the density of some proposed housing developments, and the amount of development earmarked for green belt.

‘Buffer zones’ to protect Askham Bog and Heslington Tilmire may now be wide enough to satisfy environmentalists, and people in Earswick may be pleased that a proposed 2000-home new town there has been deferred. Controversial new towns at Whinthorpe and Clifton Gate still look set to go ahead - but the council can say it has listened.

On jobs, there are plans to extend the Science Park and Elvington Business Park, and to bring 13,500 new jobs by proving space for businesses to grow.

Major transport plans like dualling the outer ring road and a new railway station for Haxby also feature - though they require significant investment.

Obviously, there are things in the plan that will please some and dismay others.

In due course, the people of York will have six final weeks in which to make their views known. The document could then be revised before being sent off to Whitehall for approval by a Government inspector.

This, then, is your last chance to have your say on this hugely important document.

It will be a case of speak now, or forever hold your peace.