Ashby residents will vote in an upcoming referendum to decide whether or not to adopt the updated Neighbourhood Plan.  

The referendum is taking place on Thursday 20 November. 

The neighbourhood plan, which can be viewed in full on the Ashby Town Council website, is a document which sets out the policies that North West Leicestershire District Council will use to decide planning application in the area. 

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 simple 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.' 

The key matters that have changed in the new Neighbourhood Plan compared to the existing one are as follows: 

• The introduction of a specific design code for Ashby, 
• A requirement for a new development to mitigate its impact on local services and contribute to improved local infrastructure, 
• A provision for 25% of affordable housing built in the area to make available specifically for those with a local connection, 
• Mapping and increased protection of important local spaces for sport, recreation and amenity, 
• Reconfirmation of the protected Local Green Spaces area, in particular Bullen's Field, 
• Mapping and increased protection for sites of Historic and Natural Environment Significance, 
• Recognition and protection of important views, 
• Greater recognition of and protection from flood risk, 
• Recognition of home working, 
• Better control of Town Centre signage, 
• Stronger traffic management and walking and cycling policies, 
• A public car parking policy, 
• Extension of protected community facilities, 
• Support for increased health and education facilities. 

To find out more about each of these points and view the Neighbourhood Plan in full, visit the Ashby Town Council website or visit Legion House for a hard copy.