Westbury’s Neighbourhood Plan accepted

WESTBURY’S Neighbourhood Plan was officially accepted with an “overwhelming” yes, as 89% of those that voted in the referendum on Thursday 14th March voted to accept the plan.  

The turnout for the referendum was 12.42% – with 1,371 votes for Wiltshire Council to use the Neighbourhood Plan for Westbury to help it decide planning applications in the neighbourhood area, and 163 votes against.  

Cllr Kate Knight and cllr Philip Harcourt, co-chairs of the Westbury Neighbourhood Plan steering group said, “We would like to thank everyone who voted in the referendum on Westbury’s Neighbourhood Plan, conducted by Wiltshire Council as the local planning authority.  

“The result, an overwhelming ‘yes’ with 89% of voters in favour, not only gives Westbury Town Council a versatile tool to help inform decisions about future planning applications, but also gives the people of Westbury a much greater say in the appropriateness of design and location of developments. It will also help to protect designated open spaces and buildings of historic or architectural importance.   

“The work does not stop here, however: the steering group will soon reconvene to consider the first review of our Neighbourhood Plan, and commence an examination of the emerging Wiltshire Council local plan proposals.” 

To see the full result visit https://shorturl.at/CLT16  

Neighbourhood plans enable local people to identify a shared vision and common goals for their area, which have legal status in the planning system. 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.