A WEST Dorset community has voted to accept a new neighbourhood plan - giving villagers greater influence over planning decisions.

Residents in Loders went the polls last week and voted in a referendum - with 83 per cent backing the new neighbourhood plan.

A final version of the Loders neighbourhood plan was submitted to the district council for examination, before the referendum.

The plan has been drawn up by local people, and agreed by Loders Parish Council, which feel confident that the plan reflects the hopes and views of the local community.

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 a neighbourhood plan can say where new homes, shops or offices might be built or where important green spaces might be protected.

The Loders neighbourhood plan will now be used in deciding planning applications.

Cllr Ian Gardner, West Dorset District Council’s planning portfolio holder, said: “It is great news that the residents of Loders agreed to adopt the neighbourhood plan.

"It will now be used to help shape their community by being used to decide planning applications.”