Plan for Wennington proceeds to referendum

Lancaster City Council is holding its very first neighbourhood plan referendum in February next year.

Wennington Parish Council applied to Lancaster City Council for the designation of a neighbourhood plan area in September 2016.

Neighbourhood planning gives communities the chance to decide where new development should be and what it should look like and if plans are approved they form part of the council’s Local Plan and help to make decisions on planning applications in that area.

It must be in line with the principles of the council’s Local Plan and is subject to an independent examination and community referendum. 

Following scrutiny of the Wennington Neighbourhood Plan, the examiner recommended that subject to proposed modifications, Wennington Neighbourhood Plan met the basic conditions and was ready to proceed to referendum. 

Having been given the green light by the council’s Cabinet this month, the plan will be put to the vote on Thursday February 14 2019.

The referendum will be conducted in accordance with procedures which are similar to those used at local government elections.  Residents will be asked to simply answer yes or no to the question: ‘Do you want Lancaster City Council to use the Neighbourhood Plan for Wennington to help it decide planning applications in the Neighbourhood Area?’

All those eligible to vote in February and registered as living in the neighbourhood area will receive a poll card at the end of January informing residents where they will need to go to place their vote.

Coun Janice Hanson, cabinet member with responsibility for regeneration and planning, said: “Neighbourhood planning is a great opportunity for residents to get involved in shaping their local area which is why we are delighted to be able to announce the first of hopefully many such plans reaching the referendum stage.  I would therefore urge everyone registered to vote in the Wennington area to get involved and cast their vote in February.” 

In the meantime, a number of documents associated with the Wennington Neighbourhood Plan can be viewed online at www.lancaster.gov.uk/neighbourhood-planning  Anyone without access to a computer can view the documents using the online facilities available in customer services at Lancaster and Morecambe Town Halls.

Last updated: 20 December 2018