MORE than 50 York residents attended a workshop to have their say on the future shape of the city.

York Planning Aid (YPA), an independent source of information and advice about planning, hosted a workshop at Orchard Park Community Centre, Huntington, to help residents get involved in the process, as part of City of York Council's consultation on the city's Local Development Plan.

The consultation - which also included workshops in Burnholme, Acomb and Priory Street - allowed residents, community groups and parish councils to have their say on proposals for York's first ever long term development plan.

YPA provides free, independent, professional assistance with planning problems, targeted at community and voluntary groups and needy individuals.

Huntington councillor David Henderson joined dozens of residents at the workshop.

He said: "The session was very informative.

"It was nice to get an independent view."

Huntington Parish Council is currently fighting alleged "over-development" in the area.

Mike Dando, of Yorkshire Planning Aid, said: "The workshops are part of YPA's programme for facilitating more informed and effective public participation in development plan preparation.

Councillor Alan Jones, the council's acting executive member for planning, said: "We approached Planning Aid because we wanted to offer something over and above the more traditional council exhibitions. The Local Plan will have

a enormous impact on the shape and form of the city in the future and it's vital that residents have an effective input into the consultation process."

Updated: 11:59 Friday, February 07, 2003