Residents of Weston under Penyard will go to the polls early in 2016 to decide if they approve the parish’s Neighbourhood Plan. Herefordshire currently has 94 areas undertaking neighbourhood plans, more than any other county in England. Weston under Penyard is the first parish in the county to have their Plan approved by the government’s Independent Examiner.

On November 27th, the Independent Examiner issued his report recommending that the Weston under Penyard Plan should now proceed to a Parish Referendum, subject to some minor amendments. If a majority of residents vote to accept it, the Plan will become a statutory document.

The Plan has already benefited the parish by discouraging unwanted housing developments and by supporting suitable developments in approved locations.

The Parish Council is encouraging the residents to vote in favour of the Plan in the coming referendum, so that only sustainable developments will be supported in the period through to 2031. 

The referendum will be organised by the Herefordshire Council Electoral Services department in a similar manner to elections. Formal notice is expected to be announced shortly for the referendum to take place in early February 2016.

Mike Dawson, the Chair of the Steering Group developing the Plan, said:?“I have to say as Chair of the Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group that the approval of the Plan by the Independent Examiner is a colossal achievement of which the Steering Group can be very proud indeed.

“It would not have been possible without the enthusiasm,  dedication and downright hard work of all members of the Steering Group over the last two years, together with the support of the Parish Council and many more members of our wonderful community. We are also grateful for the advice and support of the officers of the Planning Service at Herefordshire Council, who have been excellent throughout.”

In January the Steering Group intends to issue an information leaflet to all homes. The full Neighbourhood Plan and supporting documents can be seen at weston-under-penyard.co.uk/local or on the Herefordshire Council website at

herefordshire.gov.uk/neighbourhood-planning