RESIDENTS of Chaddesley Corbett have voted in support of a Neighbourhood Plan to be used in deciding planning applications in their village.

The results from the first neighbourhood plan referendum in Worcestershire, which took place at the village hall throughout yesterday, were given out at a count late last night.

Residents were asked to vote Yes or No to the question “Do you want Wyre Forest District Council to use the Neighbourhood Plan for Chaddesley Corbett to help it decide planning applications in the neighbourhood area?”

It was an “overwhelming” result of support from the voters, with 265 (81 per cent) yes votes, 62 (19 per cent) voting no, with one rejected vote.

The turnout at the polls was 27.8 per cent.

District councillor John Campion, cabinet member for planning and economic regeneration, said: “It was a whopping result – overwhelmingly positive to get 81 per cent of a vote.

“As well as the result, the turnout was great - many district councils would be pleased to get figures of almost 30 per cent.”

This now means Wyre Forest District Council will have to refer to the plan each time a planning decision is to be made in the village, giving greater power to Chaddesley Corbett Parish Council and its community.

Mr Campion said: “Chaddesley Corbett are leading the way as it is not just the first neighbourhood plan to be passed in the county, it’s also one of the first in the region.

“The plan will give local people a say in how their areas are developed, so in essence it means that local communities are writing planning rules.

“As a district council we want people to help decide how their local areas are developed, so hopefully this will encourage other parishes to follow the lead that has now been set.”

The plan is part of a package of measures introduced by central Government to allow communities more say in the development that takes place in their area by setting out policies to guide development.

Chaddesley Corbett’s neighbourhood plan was prepared by the parish council, which has been working alongside the district council.

William Mack, chairman of the parish council, said: “I was delighted with the result.

“I wish to thank Dave Thomas of the steering group, and the team of working groups, as well as all the many residents who have contributed to making the neighbourhood plan a tremendous local achievement.

"We feel it will have a huge benefit as local people have had a greater say in on development in the area."

As part of the plan, the former school site in the village centre has been allocated for a mix of uses including housing to meet local needs, open space and an extension to the burial ground.

It also safeguards the old Grammar School building for community uses.

Chaddesley Corbett's plan is due to come into effect on Thursday, September 25 subject to formal approval at the meeting of Wyre Forest District Council on September 24. 

For more information about neighbourhood plans or to read the Chaddesley Corbett plan visit wyreforestdc.gov.uk/neighbourhoodplanning