Three communities could have a Neighbourhood Plan if residents give them the go ahead.
Following the successful examinations of the Upper Marshwood Vale, Sutton Poyntz and Bridport Area Neighbourhood Plans, Dorset Council has agreed to enable the plans, as amended to proceed to referendum. Residents of the Upper Marshwood Vale and Sutton Poyntz have to be registered to vote by Tuesday, 28 January 2020 to vote in these referendums. Bridport Area residents have until Tuesday 11 February 2020.
Local referendums will take place in the Upper Marshwood Vale (the parishes of Marshwood, Bettiscombe, Pilsdon and Stoke Abbott) and Sutton Poyntz, Weymouth on Thursday 13 February and across the Bridport Area (the parishes of Bridport, Allington, Bradpole, Bothenhampton & Walditch and Symondsbury) on Thursday 27 February, with local residents going to the polls to vote ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ to the proposals.
The plans were drawn up by local people, and agreed by their Town and Parish Councils who felt confident that the plans reflect the hopes and views of their local communities.
What is a neighbourhood plan?
Neighbourhood plans were introduced in the Localism Act 2011 and aim to give residents more say in the future use of land and buildings in their area. For example the plan can say where new homes, shops or offices might be built or where important green spaces might be protected.
If the plan is supported by the local referendum it will be used to make decisions on planning applications.
Cllr David Walsh, Dorset Council’s Portfolio Holder for Planning, said:
“Residents of Upper Marshwood Vale, Sutton Poyntz and the Bridport Area now have the opportunity to shape their community through their Neighbourhood Plans, as modified by their independent examiners.
“I would like to thank the residents involved and their respective Town and Parish Councils for their hard work and commitment in creating these Neighbourhood Plans and getting them to this stage.
“Residents will need to ensure that they are on the electoral roll if they intend to vote on the plans in these February referendums.”
View the plans
The Upper Marshwood Vale neighbourhood plan can be viewed online with hard copies of the supporting material on display at South Walks House in Dorchester and Beaminster Town Council offices.
The Sutton Poyntz neighbourhood plan can be viewed online with hard copies of the supporting material on display at South Walks House in Dorchester, Weymouth Town Council offices as well as Littlemoor Library.
The Bridport Area plan can be viewed online with hard copies of the supporting material on display at South Walks House in Dorchester, Bridport Town Council offices as well as Bridport Library.
The Town and Parish Councils also intend to ensure copies of these documents are available locally.
How to vote
The Upper Marshwood Vale and Sutton Poyntz referendums will be held on Thursday 13 February. You have to be registered to vote by Tuesday 28 January 2020 to vote in these referendums.
The Bridport Area referendum will be held on Thursday 27 February. You have to be registered to vote by Tuesday, 11 February to vote in the referendum. You can check if you are registered to vote by telephoning 01305 838299 during normal office hours.
Upper Marshwood Vale residents can vote in person at Bettiscombe Village Hall and P.C.C Stoke Abbott Village Hall. Sutton Poyntz residents can vote in person at the Mission Hall. Bridport Area residents can vote in person at the polling stations which are at:
- St Swithuns Vestry Extension, North Allington, Bridport
- Bridport Youth & Community Centre, Gundry Lane, Bridport
- The Salt House, Quayside, West Bay
- Symene Sports Club, Duck Street, Symondsbury
- Eype Schoolroom, Mount Lane, DT6 6AP
- Bothenhampton Village Hall, Main Street, DT6 4BJ
- Walditch Village Hall, The Green, DT6 4LB
- Forster Memorial Hall, Higher Street, Bradpole
- Mountfield (Committee Room), Rax Lane, Bridport
- Bridport United Church (Inner Hall), East Street, Bridport
The polling stations will be open from 7am to 10pm on Thursday 13 and Thursday 27 February.
How to vote – post or proxy
To vote by post or proxy in these referendums, you will need to have filled in an application form and sent it to Electoral Registration.
Postal and proxy vote application forms are available online or by contacting the Electoral Services team by emailing elections@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk or calling 01305 838299
Applications to vote by post in the Upper Marshwood Vale and Sutton Poyntz referendums must be received by no later than 5pm on Wednesday, 29 January 2020.
To vote by proxy, application forms should be received by no later than 5pm on Wednesday, 5 February 2020.
Applications to vote by post in the Bridport Area referendum must be received by no later than 5pm on Wednesday, 12 February 2020.
To vote by proxy, application forms should be received by no later than 5pm on Wednesday, 12 February 2020.
Questions can be emailed to: planningpolicyteamb@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk
Alternatively, they can be posted to: Spatial Planning, South Walks House, South Walks Road, Dorchester DT1 1UZ.
