Ashby residents are being asked by Ashby Town Council to spread the word of an upcoming referendum for the Ashby de la Zouch Neighbourhood Plan. 

The referendum is taking place on Thursday 20 November, voting on whether to adopt the neighbourhood plan that has been put forward. 

The neighbourhood plan is a document that sets out policies that will be used by North West Leicestershire District Council when deciding on planning applications in the Parish. 

The Neighbourhood Plan has been developed by the local community, rather than Ashby's local planning authority, which is North West Leicestershire District Council. This means the plan reflects the priorities and wishes of people living and working in Ashby as far as possible within the context of planning regulations and requirements. 

The question on the ballot paper for the referendum will be 'Do you want North West Leicestershire District Council to use the Neighbourhood Plan for the Ashby de la Zouch Neighbourhood Area to help it decide planning applications in the Neighbourhood Area?' 

According to Ashby Town Council, 'If a simply majority vote YES to the plan in the referendum, it will become part of the statutory Development Plan for the District. Any planning decisions and conditions e.g. on housing and the environment, within Ashby de la Zouch must be made with reference to our Neighbourhood Plan. 

'If a simple majority vote NO to the Plan, the local protections and conditions state in the Policies will not apply and North West Leicestershire District Council will make planning decisions based upon district-wide and national policies.' 

There will also be hard copies of the Neighbourhood Plan available at Legion House in Ashby.