A COMMUNITY is going to be voting on whether or not it wants to have more influence over planning decisions in its area.

Following the successful examination of the Charmouth Neighbourhood Plan, Dorset Council has agreed that the plan, as amended, can to go to referendum.

A local referendum will take place in Charmouth on Thursday, February 10, 2022, with local residents going to the polls to vote ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ to the proposals. Residents must be registered to vote by January 25, 2022 to vote in this referendum.

The plan was drawn up by local people and agreed by their Parish Council who felt confident that the plan reflect the hopes and views of their local communities.

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

If the plan is supported by the local referendum it will be used to make decisions on planning applications.

In areas where there is a parish council, the parish council has been given the powers to prepare a Neighbourhood Plan. In other areas a neighbourhood forum must be assigned for this purpose.

Cllr David Walsh, Dorset Council’s Portfolio Holder for Planning, said: “A tremendous amount of work has gone into shaping this plan and I thank everyone who has been involved with the project so far.

“Residents now have the opportunity to shape their community through the Neighbourhood Plan, as modified by the independent examiner.

“Anyone who wishes to vote, needs to ensure they are on the electoral register.”

The Charmouth neighbourhood plan can be viewed online with hard copies of the supporting material on display in Dorchester and Charmouth Libraries.

The polling stations will be open from 7am to 10pm on February 10, 2022.

Questions can be emailed to: neighbourhoodplanning@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk