Neighbourhood plans that will help influence developments in Farringdon, Newton Poppleford and Harpford, and Otterton will go to referendum on 6th May 2021.

It follows extensive community consultations from the local parish councils. If residents vote in favour of the plans the documents will be used by East Devon District Council (EDDC) to help influence how planning applications are determined until 2031.

If more people vote ‘yes’ than ‘no’ in a neighbourhood plan referendum, then EDDC will adopt (‘make’) the relevant plan and it will become part of the statutory ‘development plan’ for East Devon.

A person is entitled to vote in the referendum for their parish if, on 6th May 2021, 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.

All information relating to the referendum is available to view at the following address: https://eastdevon.gov.uk/elections-and-registering-to-vote/election-information

The polling stations will be as follows:
1. Farringdon Neighbourhood Plan - Farringdon Village Hall;
2. Newton Poppleford & Harpford Neighbourhood Plan - Newton Poppleford Village Hall;
3. Otterton Neighbourhood Plan - Otterton Village Hall.

Further information on neighbourhood planning in East Devon, including the neighbourhood plans to be voted on at the forthcoming referendums can be found on the planning pages of the District Council website at: https://eastdevon.gov.uk/planning/planning-policy/neighbourhood-and-community-plans/

Once adopted neighbourhood plans are key documents with a legal status which influence the future shape and development of the areas they cover over many years. As such we encourage all residents eligible to vote in these referendums to ensure they are registered, and to turn out to vote on the day. There are currently 19 adopted or ‘made’ neighbourhood plans in East Devon and therefore, should the referendums be successful, the addition of up to three more will significantly increase neighbourhood plan coverage in the district.