A neighbourhood in Hounslow could get new powers giving local people a greater say over future developments in their area.

The Osterley Neighbourhood Forum, formed by a group of local residents, has applied to produce a neighbourhood plan for the area.

Should the application be approved, the plan would act as a set of guidelines for future planning applications - potentially covering everything from building heights to acceptable use of green land.

It would complement Hounslow's Local Plan, which sets out the principles for development across the borough.

Referendum needed before plan could be adopted

Everyone living within the area would get to have a say in a referendum before the new blueprint for the neighbourhood could be adopted.

Hounslow Council is now consulting about the formal recognition of the neighbourhood area - the precise boundaries of the zone in question.

Should that be approved, getwestlondon understands it would be only the second to be formally recognised in the borough, after Butts Farm, in Hanworth.

The neighbourhood forum would then have to be officially recognised before a plan can be drawn up and a public vote can be held on that plan.

Osterley & Wyke Green Residents Association has been the driving force behind the new forum.

The group, which was formed more than 30 years ago, says on its website it has previously campaigned successfully to save Osterley library from the threat of closure, and to prevent the local Tesco Extra store from opening around the clock.

What influence could neighbourhood plan have on local developments?

More recently the group has been involved in the row over plans for Nishkam School West London to move to a new building on the old Conquest Club site.

Opponents, who have raised concerns about the impact on traffic, say the building should not be allowed on protected Metropolitan Open Land.

The school trust has already been granted planning permission by Hounslow Council, but campaigners have applied for a judicial review of the decision.

Should a neighourhood plan be approved, it is likely to be too late to influence plans for the school, which is scheduled to open on the site in autumn 2017. But it could have an impact on similar plans to build on open space in future.

Consultation on the Osterley Neighbourhood Area began on Tuesday (April 26) and is due to run for six weeks, until June 7. A decision is due to be made at the borough council meeting on July 19.

To view the proposals and have your say, visit the Hounslow Council website.