Neighbourhood Planning Referendum
It is the responsibility of Cornwall Council to organise the referendum for a Neighbourhood Development Plan. The Council’s Electoral Services have to publish a ‘Notice of Referendum’ 25 working days before the day of the referendum. Neighbourhood Planning Referendums are conducted in accordance with procedures which are similar to those used at local government elections. The referendum must be in accordance with Schedule 3 and 5 (The Neighbourhood Planning Referendums) of the Neighbourhood Planning Regulations 2012. We have prepared a summary of the Referendum Regulations.
An Information Statement is published 28 working days before the date of the referendum and copies of the Neighbourhood Planning documents are displayed at Council Offices and local facilities e.g local libraries near the Parish for the general public to view. Another document is prepared called ‘Information for Voters’ and this provides more information about the referendum process. Voters will receive a poll card similar to those used at elections and this will provide details of where and when they can vote on the Neighbourhood Plan in their local area.
There are three ways of voting:
- In person at your local polling station
- By post
- By proxy
If more than 50% of people voting in the referendum support the plan or order, then the local planning authority must bring it into force. The Neighbourhood Development Plan once adopted will then become part of the Development Plan and Cornwall Council will use the plan to help to decide planning applications in the Parish.