SALISBURY residents are being asked to vote on a plan that could give the city greater say in planning for its future.
A neighbourhood plan – a document used for communities to have a say on its future – has been put together by Salisbury City Council.
This document covers future policies on local housing needs, the city’s green fields and rivers, biodiversity and climate change, tourism, parking, transport, and facilities for sport, health and employment.
Wiltshire Council is holding a Salisbury Neighbourhood Plan Referendum on Thursday, February 27.
READ MORE: Salisbury Cathedral to host special Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe talk and Q&A
READ MORE: Feedback wanted on parking restrictions on busy Laverstock road
READ MORE: Salisbury to rally behind mum who is trying to walk again
Residents will be asked, ‘Do you want Wiltshire Council to use the Neighbourhood Development Plan for Salisbury to help it decide planning applications in the neighbourhood area?’
If approved, it would give Salisbury 25% of the infrastructure funding contributed by developers in the city.
Higher authorities will also be obliged to take account of it when planning for the city’s future, although it must comply with Wiltshire Council policy.
Chair of the Salisbury neighbourhood plan steering group, councillor Annie Riddle (Independent/Harnham West) is encouraging residents to read up on what policies matter to them and vote accordingly.
“The information most people will need is in part one – turn to page six for a list of policies and simply look up the ones that interest you,” she said.
“There’s a lot of background evidence in other documents, which the system requires us to provide, but nobody is expected to read all of them. It’s a highly bureaucratic system but it’s the only one we’ve got.”
Cllr Riddle added: “It has taken six years and a lot of compromises to get to this point.
“I am very grateful to the local volunteer residents who contributed their expertise, and to the councillors, past and present, who have been actively involved over the years. It’s been a real team effort.
“I hope people will use their votes wisely.”
The vote is open to residents of the city parish.
Polling stations will require voter ID.
So what you’re saying is that this document is in sync with Wiltshire council planning rules and is just a cynical cash grab.
Can residents assume that council tax will be reduced due to the extra funding?