People living in Whittlesey, and the surrounding area, are going to the polls next month to vote on the Whittlesey Neighbourhood Planning Referendum. 

On Thursday, February 23, can vote on the proposed neighbourhood plan which will supplement planning policies affecting the town and surrounding villages. 

The plan, developed by Whittlesey Town Council with its local community, sets out planning policies for future development of the area covering Whittlesey, Coates, Eastrea, Pondersbridge and Turves.

This will include affordable housing, design quality as well including a preferred site for a country park, the designation of Local Green Spaces and protection of historic mud walls.

Voters will be asked if they want the Fenland District Council, who are holding the vote, to use the Neighbourhood Plan for Whittlesey to help it decide planning applications in the neighbourhood area.  

If more than 50 per cent of votes support the plan, it will then become part of the Development Plan for the district and be used for determining planning applications and appeals in the Whittlesey Neighbourhood Area so the FDC have to enforce it. 

Cllr Dee Laws, the FDC’s portfolio holder for planning and town and district ward member for Whittlesey, said: “It’s important that the priorities of local people are taken into account in the planning of their area as much as possible.  

“The Whittlesey Neighbourhood Plan has been developed with considerable input from the community and sets out how new development proposals should be considered. 

To vote, you must be registered to vote and be 18 or over on the day of the poll. 

Registered electors will be delivered polling cards in the area in the next week starting January 23.  

Electors are urged to check their polling cards for their local polling station due to possible location changes. 

You can also check your nearest polling station at: www.fenland.gov.uk/find  

Residents in the neighbourhood plan area who don’t receive a poll card can check if they are registered to vote by calling 01354 654321 or emailing elections@fenland.gov.uk  

If you’re not registered, you can register to vote: www.gov.uk/register-to-vote.

For more information, and view the Whittlesey Neighbourhood Plan documents, visit: www.fenland.gov.uk/WhittleseyNeighbourhoodPlan  

Copies of the plan can also be viewed at Whittlesey Library in Market Street.