SALISBURY residents voted to approve the Neighbourhood Development Plan at a referendum yesterday (February 27).

This comes after 3,940 votes were received in favour with just 647 votes against.

Put together by residents, a planning consultant and Salisbury City Council over the past six years, the plan focusses on how future development should take place in Salisbury.

It would allow Salisbury to guide development in the city while complying with Wiltshire Council policies.

The plan encompasses the entire Salisbury City Council area and features future policies such as local housing needs, the city’s green fields and rivers, biodiversity and climate change, tourism, parking, transport, and facilities for sport, health and employment.

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Some of the highlights include supporting the development of flats and affordable housing in the city as well as increasing carbon capture.

Councillor Annie Riddle, chairman of the Salisbury Neighbourhood Development Plan steering group, said she is “delighted” with the result.

“I’m delighted that a convincing majority of those who voted could see the benefits of having a Neighbourhood Plan,” she said.

“This will entitle the city council to a significantly bigger share of funding from developers working within our parish, to be used to provide facilities for our community.

“And it gives legal weight to local people’s views on Salisbury’s needs and their hopes for its future, which will have to be taken into account by planners.

“I’d like to thank everyone who turned out to vote, the councillors who got involved over the past six years, and our consultant, Andrea Pellegram, for her tireless enthusiasm.

“Most importantly, we couldn’t have done it without a team of hugely hard-working volunteer residents who offered their professional expertise in compiling all the evidence. For them, in particular, it’s been a marathon!”

To view the full Declaration of Result, click here.

Click here for a brief summary of what’s in the plan.