FARMERS and landowners are being asked if they have any spare land in a pioneering project to find space for new houses.

The three parishes of Yate, Sodbury and Dodington are taking part in the experimental initiative which will see local people making decisions above Government experts.

Yate town councillor Chris Willmore said: “Basically it is getting people talking to each other but it is something I have never seen before in any strategic planning process.

“It is about sitting small groups of local people down and asking them what they think, then extending that to a larger group of stakeholders.

"It has actually been realised that asking local people might result in a better answer."

South Gloucestershire Council is carrying out the talks, ahead of a Government decision on whether 33,000 new homes must be built in South Gloucestershire in the next two decades.

Secretary of State Hazel Blears is due to make an announcement on the figures at the end of June and is expected to include 3,000 new homes in the Yate and Chipping Sodbury area.

"We live here so we should have a better idea of where houses should go,” said Cllr Willmore.

"Rather than someone from Westminster telling us where they think they should.”

Yate and Sodbury town councils and Dodington Parish Council have been in discussions with South Gloucestershire Council, as well as representatives from rural villages including Hawkesbury Upton, Iron Acton and Westerleigh.

A number of farmers and landowners who have land available for development have come forward and others have offered ideas on where the houses would best be suited.

A workshop for all the parties involved is due to take place at Chipping Sodbury Town Hall next month. The findings will then be reported back to the district authority.