A MAJOR public consultation has seen residents in two Vale areas back plans to give them more of a say how their area is developed.
People living in Drakes Broughton and Wadborough with Pirton and North Claines went to the polls last Thursday (March 16) on whether to approve their respective areas Neighbourhood Plans.
The areas are the first two in Wychavon district to do so under the plans which were introduced as part of the Localism Act 2011.
It allows communities to draw up their own development blueprint detailing where they want new homes, shops and office to be built.
Neighbourhood Plans also gives resident more of a say on what those new buildings should look like and what infrastructure should be provided.
In Drakes Broughton and Wadborough with Pirton, 93 per cent of the 400 votes cast were in support of the plan while in North Claines the number in favour was 580 or 85.2 per cent – well in excess of the 50 per cent needed for the plans to be adopted.
Coun Bradley Thomas, portfolio holder for planning, transport and infrastructure at Wychavon District Council, said:
“Congratulations to the people of Drakes Broughton and Wadborough with Pirton and North Claines.
“They have voted for greater influence and a greater degree of control over how their communities develop in future.
“There are a number of other communities across Wychavon currently undergoing the Neighbourhood Plan process and we look forward to putting them to a public vote at the earliest possible opportunity.”
Councillors will now be asked at a Planning Committee meeting on April 6 to recommend both Neighbourhood Plans are adopted by Wychavon and can be used when deciding planning applications for both areas.
The final decision will be made by full council on April 26.
