Neighbourhood Plan bid facing referendum vote

BARROW-UPON-SOAR residents will have to chance to vote on whether or not they want to adopt a Neighbourhood Plan.

A referendum will take place on Thursday, February 8 and follows the parish council’s formal submission of the plan to Charnwood Borough Council.

Neighbourhood Plans give communities direct power to develop a shared vision for their neighbourhood and shape the development and growth of their local area.

They are able to choose where they want new homes, shops and offices to be built, have their say on what those new buildings should look like and what infrastructure should be provided.

To succeed, the plan needs the support of more than half of those voting.

You can vote in the referendum if you live in the Barrow-upon-Soar Parish Council area and are registered to vote in local council elections.

The polling station where voting will take place is at Barrow Methodist Church Hall, on North Street, which will be open between 7am and 10pm on Thursday, February 8.

Barrow residents not already registered who wish to vote at the referendum must register by Tuesday, January 23.

A spokesperson from Charnwood Borough Council said: “You can register online at www.gov.uk/registerto-vote or by phoning 01509 634546.

“If you are away or cannot get to the polling station on February 8 you can apply to vote by post or by proxy.

“Applications to vote by post must be received by 5pm on Wednesday 24 January and proxy applications by 5pm Wednesday 31 January.

“For further information about registering to vote, applying to vote by post, or by proxy, please contact the electoral services office by calling 01509 632593/4/5 or e-mailing electoral.services@charnwood.gov. uk”