Have your say on the future of the Dalwood parish

Dalwood Parish Council have produced a neighbourhood plan, which has been five years in the making, with the help of the local community and volunteers.

A referendum on the document, which if supported will help influence how planning applications are determined in the area, will be held on February 24 at Dalwood Village Hall. 

The Dalwood Parish Neighbourhood Plan looks to preserve the area's character, natural beauty and community services until 2031 while making it a "vibrant, active and friendly community that is a special place to live, work and visit".

As part of the referendum, parishioners will be asked to cast their votes in response to this question: "Do you want East Devon District Council to use the Neighbourhood Plan for the parish of Dalwood to help it decide planning applications in the neighbourhood area?"

If more people vote 'yes' than 'no' in this referendum, then East Devon District Council (EDDC) will 'make' the plan.

A person is entitled to vote in the referendum if, on February 24, he or she is entitled to vote in a local government election in the referendum area; and, his or her qualifying address for the election is in the referendum area (the parish of Dalwood).

Councillor Dan Ledger, East Devon District Council's portfolio holder for Strategic Development said: "It's fantastic to see that residents in the Dalwood parish are taking more control on how they wish to see their area grow for the next ten years.

"Neighbourhood plans are so important and help us understand what communities need and want to help them flourish.

"Congratulations really needs to be given to all of the volunteers for getting the plan through to this point. Without their passion and commitment to their own community this feat would never have been achieved."

All information relating to the referendum is available to view on the EDDC website.

Hard copies of the referendum documentation are available on request, and can also be viewed at the EDDC offices at Blackdown House, Honiton (by prior arrangement only), as well as at Honiton and Axminster libraries.

Further information and a copy of the plan can be found here.

Should the referendum be successful, it will be the 23rd neighbourhood plan to be adopted in East Devon. 

Neighbourhood plans cover more than 60 per cent of the total district population, and more plans are in the pipeline.