WESTBURY residents are being encouraged to turn up and vote in the referendum over whether to approve the Westbury Neighbourhood Plan, which will be held on Thursday 14th March.
Neighbourhood plans enable local people to identify a shared vision and common goals for their area, which have legal status in the planning system. Polling cards have been sent to residents by Wiltshire Council, which will explain where the nearest polling station is located.
Although the neighbourhood plan cannot prevent housing development, if the plan is in place, it can set out what the town expects from any new development, what needs to be protected and what is needed.
In the referendum, residents will be asked to vote Yes or No to the question “Do you want Wiltshire Council to use the Neighbourhood Plan for Westbury to help it decide planning applications in the Westbury neighbourhood area?”
To see the full plan, go to www.westburytowncouncil.gov.uk/dept/neighbourhood-plan/
Alternatively, paper copies of the neighbourhood plan can be seen at Westbury Library, Leigh Park Community Centre or the Laverton (town council offices) in Bratton Road.