Haywards Heath residents' vote '˜yes' in Neighbourhood Plan referendum

Residents in Haywards Heath have voted in favour of using a Neighbourhood Plan to determine local planning applications.
The referendum was held yesterday (December 1)The referendum was held yesterday (December 1)
The referendum was held yesterday (December 1)

The town-wide referendum was held yesterday (December 1) and the community was asked if they wanted Mid Sussex District Council to use the Neighbourhood Plan – to help decide planning applications in the neighbourhood area.

The people of Haywards Heath voted ‘overwhelmingly’ in favour of the plan, with 3117 residents voting ‘yes’.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

And 328 residents voted against the plan, it has been confirmed.

The turnout was 15.54 per cent.

Neighbourhood plans are a way for local people to decide the future of their town or village.

Town and parish councils work alongside residents to produce the plans, which set out general planning policies, such as where new homes and offices should be built and what they should look like.

Once a Neighbourhood Plan is complete, a town or village wide referendum is held to ask all residents what they think of the proposed plan.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

If more than 50 per cent of those who vote are in favour then the Neighbourhood Plan is used to decide future planning applications.

Mid Sussex District Council will now meet on 14 December 2016 to consider whether the Haywards Heath Neighbourhood Plan should be ‘made’.

Once the plan is ‘made’ it will be used by the district council to decide planning applications in Haywards Heath.

Have you checked out our new Christmas section yet?

It’s packed with ideas and tips to ensure you make the most out of the festive season.

There’s recipes, suggestions for presents and everything from choosing your tree to recycling your packaging and paper.