A group that was repeatedly thwarted in its plans to create a development masterplan for Cockermouth has moved its focus to influence planning policy in a fresh way.

A 30-strong group made up of a cross section of townspeople was set up last year and had hoped to help create a neighbourhood plan but repeatedly failed to win the support of the town council, which needed to be on board to proceed.

The plan could have been used to set out the types of development considered acceptable in the town and would have carried weight when planning applications were considered.

Calls for it came last year amid concerns from residents who felt the town needed greater control over future development.

The group, now calling itself Cockermouth Vision, is now preparing to gather views from across the town to feed into an Allerdale council consultation on the updating of the borough council's local plan, which contains its planning policies.

Co-chairmen Ros Earthy and Darren Ward were delighted to be told by Kevin Kerrigan, head of development services, that the group's views would be considered, alongside those of other interested parties, when the borough council looks to revise the local plan next year.

Mrs Earthy said: "It's really exciting, we are pleased. We are in control of this now and can submit a vision document to Allerdale.

"We are grateful that Allerdale understands what we want to do and takes it seriously. We could never get the town council to understand what we were asking for, which was simply to investigate the idea of a neighbourhood plan."

Cockermouth Vision wants to hear from residents, businesses and town groups.

It will have a stand in the United Reformed Church on Saturday, September 9, as part of the Heritage Open Days exhibition, where people will be invited to write down their opinions.

Mrs Earthy said: "This is not just about housing. We want to look at the strengths Cockermouth has which are not being fully developed, such as leisure activities like walking and mountain biking. We could maybe use the river more.

"We want to hear what the town means to people and what they would like."