Neighbourhood plans break the 200 mark

Some 200 neighbourhood plans have now been approved following three referendums in Herefordshire.

Local and neighbourhood plans are a part of the government’s aim to deliver one million homes by shifting planning powers away from Whitehall and down to community level.

Three communities in Herefordshire – Wellington, Fownhope and Brimfield and Little Hereford – have voted in favour of neighbourhood plans with the lowest vote being 67% in favour.

The government reports in total 1,900 communities across England – covering nearly 10 million people – have now started to get their own plans in place.

Since 2013 all 200 plans that have progressed to the referendum stage have been approved by voters, with nearly 340,000 votes cast.

On average 89% of people who have voted were in favour of the proposed plan for their neighbourhood.

Housing and planning