Voters say '˜yes' in Caistor referendum

Caistor residents have voted to adopt the town's Neighbourhood Plan - after the first referendum of its kind in West Lindsey.
The electorate vote 'yes' in the Caistor referendum EMN-160129-125939001The electorate vote 'yes' in the Caistor referendum EMN-160129-125939001
The electorate vote 'yes' in the Caistor referendum EMN-160129-125939001

Caistor residents have voted to adopt the town’s Neighbourhood Plan - after the first referendum of its kind in West Lindsey.

Electors took to the polls on Thursday (January 28) to decide whether to adopt a new type of planning document, produced by the local community, known as a Neighbourhood Development Plan.

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The document gained strong support with 74 per cent of all votes cast in favour of the plan.

Responding to news of the plan’s successful result, West Lindsey District Councillor for Caistor, Angela Lawrence said: “I’m absolutely delighted that all the hard work that the volunteer steering group and the way it has been received by the community.

“Caistor now has a robust plan to take us forward.

“I would like to thank everyone for turning out to vote.”

And Caistor Town Council clerk Helen Pitman was equally delighted.

She said: “It is a great result for Caistor.

“It shows people believe in this plan.

“I would like to thank everyone for their work developing the plan and for voting.”

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The referendum result was announced by West Lindsey District Council deputy returning officer, Celia Chapman, following a count on Friday morning (January 29).

Ms Chapman also announced the result for Nettleham, where residents also voted in favour of their Neighbourhood 
Plan.

Neighbourhood Development plans are considered to have been approved at referendum if more than 50 per cent of the votes cast support adoption of the document.

The plans will now be set before members of WLDC for formal adoption at the next full council meeting on March 
3.

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Following this, the plans will then become statutory documents.

West Lindsey District Council leader Coun Jeff Summers said: “The election results this week reflect the hard work that local communities have put into their plans.

“The council and my officers are proud to have supported the neighbourhood plan groups in reaching these commendable milestones.

“It is fantastic that plans that have been written by the community, for the community, have gained strong local support and will now be used to shape future growth and development.

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“I would definitely encourage any communities that have not yet considered producing this kind of plan to contact the council to find out more about the free support we can offer”.

The document now carries a formal status in determining planning applications.

It will be used as part of the decision making process when applications are made to the council.

Nationally interest in neighbourhood plans is growing rapidly with strong support being provided by central government.

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Currently more than 20 other towns and villages are in various stages of developing neighbourhood plans in West Lindsey alone.

Funding is available to assist local community groups and parish councils in developing their plans, with technical support and guidance available from the local authority.

Neighbourhood Plans defined

Common issues covered in neighbourhood plans include investigating local housing needs, identifying sites for affordable or self-build homes, deciding what new infrastructure is needed in future and protecting important open space.

plans must be produced in accordance with national guidance and once complete are subject to independent examination to ensure they are fit for purpose. Once adopted plans form part of the local development plan and will be used along-side the Central Lincolnshire Local Plan,expected to be adopted later this year.

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