A new town square could be developed in the heart of Kentish Town as part of a community vision drawn up by residents.

Following a three-year conversation with locals, the Kentish Town Neighbourhood Forum (KTNF) has this week launched a draft plan for the future of the area.

It includes proposals for new housing and greater protection for pubs, as well as plans to open local school facilities to the community and create a town square around the canopy area next to Kentish Town Tube station, in Kentish Town Road.

Caroline Hill, chairman of KTNF, said: “This is an historic moment. It is the first time that local people have been able to say how they would like to see Kentish Town developing in the future.

“The draft plan has been drawn up by volunteers, using ideas put forward by local people and businesses.

“Over the next six weeks, we are inviting as many people as possible who live in the Kentish Town area to read our plan and let us know what they think.”

The neighbourhood plan is a result of new powers given to communities by local government secretary Eric Pickles through the Localism Act 2011.

The legislation is designed to enable communities to have a greater say over the types of development in their areas.

Following the six-week consultation on the Kentish Town neighbourhood plan, which runs until April 27, the neighbourhood forum will draw up a revised plan taking public comments into account.

Camden Council is then required to organise an independent examination of the plan to ensure it complies with local and national planning policies.

The council will then arrange a referendum when everyone on the electoral register in Kentish Town will be able to vote on whether they want the plan’s policies to be adopted.

Other policies in the plan include proposals for step-free access to platforms at Kentish Town Tube, Overground and Rail stations.

There is also a call for protection of the “view” to Parliament Hill from the canopy area next to Kentish Town Tube station and the preservation and enhancement of green and open spaces on council estates.

The policies were drawn up over three years through public meetings, street engagements, workshops, exhibitions and leafleting of every household in Kentish Town.

The plan can be viewed on the KTNF website by visiting ktnf.org

You can leave comments about the draft plan on the website, by emailing secretaryatktnf@yahoo.co.uk or by leaving comments in Kentish Town Library, Community Centre or the Somali Youth Centre.