The town and its surrounding parishes could have a neighbourhood plan if residents give it the go-ahead.

Following a successful examination by Dorset Council, the Bridport Area Neighbourhood Plan will go to referendum, which will take place on Thursday, February 27. Residents must be registered to vote by

The plan includes the town, as well as Allington, Bradpole, Symondsbury, Bothenhampton and Walditch and was drawn up by local people and agreed by the town and parish councils.

All policies and projects set out in the plan were subject to extensive local consultations between 2014 and 2019.

As well as the Bridport area, Upper Marshwood Vale - which includes the parishes of Marshwood, Bettiscombe, Pilsdon and Stoke Abbott - will also hold a referendum on its neighbourhood plan, with residents going to the polls on Thursday, February 13 and voting ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to the proposals.

Cllr David Walsh, Dorset Council’s portfolio holder for planning, said: “Residents 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 the February referendums.”

Neighbourhood plans 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.

The Bridport Area Neighbourhood plan can be seen at South Walks House in Dorchester, Bridport Town Council offices at Mountfield, Bridport Library and at dorsetcouncil.gov.uk or bridport-tc.gov.uk