Referendums for two Dorset communities next month
People in Wimborne St Giles and Wool will decide on Neighbourhood Plans
Two Dorset communities are set to hold referendums next month - for residents to decide if a local Neighbourhood Plan should be adopted.
Dorset Council's arranging the votes in Wimborne St Giles and Wool on Thursday 20th March.
People can vote 'yes' or 'no' to having the plans taken forward.
What is a neighbourhood plan?
They aim to give residents more say in the future use of land and buildings in their area, setting out where new homes, shops or offices might be built or where important green spaces might be protected.
The Wool and Wimborne St Giles plans have been drawn up through local feedback and agreed by their Parish Councils.
If a plan is supported by a local referendum, it's then used to inform decisions on planning applications submitted to Dorset Council, alongside the countywide Local Plan.
Cllr Shane Bartlett, Dorset Council’s Cabinet Member for Planning and Emergency Planning, said:
“It takes a tremendous amount of work to pull together a Neighbourhood Plan. I congratulate all involved in getting to this stage.
“I would encourage anyone with an interest in the future development of Wimborne St Giles or Wool to view the plans and have their say.
“Residents will need to ensure that they are on the electoral roll if they intend to vote on the plans in these March referendums.”
The Wimborne St Giles neighbourhood plan can be viewed online with hard copies of the supporting material on display in the Council Offices, Colliton Park, Dorchester; Verwood Library, and Wimborne St Giles Church.
The Wool neighbourhood plan can be viewed online with hard copies of the supporting material on display in the Council Offices, Colliton Park, Dorchester; and Wool Community Library.
You have to be registered to vote by 4th March to vote in these referendums.
The polling stations will be open from 7.00am to 10.00pm on 20th March.
You now need photo ID to vote at a polling station.
If you don't have accepted photo ID, you can apply for a free voter ID document, which is known as a Voter Authority Certificate by 5.00pm on Wednesday 12th March.
Postal and proxy vote application forms are available online or by calling 01305 838299.