Weston under Penyard has become the first community in Herefordshire to successfully complete the referendum stage of its Neighbourhood Plan.

Nearly 40% of local electors turned out to give the plan a massive thumbs-up (96.4% in favour).

"The community recognised that some development was required, but there was concern that the small village of Weston could have been swamped by major new housing developments" said Susan Lewis, Chair of the Parish Council. "With the Plan now endorsed by the referendum, the required development in the parish should be mainly limited to the two sites preferred by the community.”

“Herefordshire Council are now required to formally endorse the Neighbourhood Plan, after which all local development proposals will need to conform to our plan as well as the County’s Core Strategy,” she added.

101 of the 134 parish councils in the county (75%) have signed up to develop their own Neighbourhood Plan. This is the highest take-up by far anywhere in England.

Each Plan will give the parishes concerned greater influence over local planning and development decisions over the next 15 years and beyond.

Chris Gooding, Director of Data Orchard, a county-based consultancy which has advised Weston, and over 30 other parish councils on the development of their Neighbourhood Plans, said: “The construction of Weston under Penyard’s plan has been a major undertaking for the community, requiring a huge commitment by volunteers to get to grips with planning law and to consult with their residents and businesses.”

“It is testament to the health and resilience of Weston and similar communities right across this county and serves as a blueprint for local democracy.

“Herefordshire Council also deserve credit for the encouragement and support that they have given to this strategic initiative,” Chris added. “Although the strategy has suffered hitches and some painful delays, not every local authority has had the courage and imagination to see through such a substantial devolvement of planning powers to parishes”.

Weston’s full neighbourhood plan and supporting documents are available at