RESIDENTS have a chance to voice their views on how to develop public accessible greenspace.

Shropshire Council is seeking public opinion on its new Great Outdoors strategy in a public consultation.

Great Outdoors sets out the strategic direction for the management and development of publicly accessible greenspace, rights of way and other access in the Shropshire Council area.

A council spokesman said that the current economic climate and associated budget pressures along with the economic growth aspirations and the growing need for outdoor recreation for health and wellbeing mean a new approach is needed to ensure a quality service is provided to preserve Shropshire’s great outdoors.

Lezley Picton, Shropshire Council Cabinet member for leisure and culture, said: “The change that the public sector has experienced since the first Countryside Access Strategy was produced ten years ago has made the need to have a clear and prioritised plan to target resources whilst giving the best public benefit possible greater than ever.

“We want to ensure that this strategy is going to meet the needs of those people who use the publicly owned outdoor assets and the wider population and would welcome your views.”

The public sector has seen significant change since the first Countryside Access Strategy (Rights of Way Improvement Plan) was produced in 2008.

The strategy was developed with a range of organisations and users and was informed by data analysis and research.

To get involved in the Great Outdoors Strategy consultation, click here. The deadline for responses is Tuesday, July 31.

The results of the consultation will be presented to cabinet in September before being launched in the autumn.