Cumbrian voters go to the polls (7am) in an historic referendum in Cumbria. People in the Upper Eden area will be the first in the country to hold a planning referendum to decide if they want a greater say in how their community develops.
It's being described as a 'political first' and a 'transformation' of the planning rules. Yesterday the residents of upper Eden voted overwhelmingly to support the 'local planning referendum'. See John Bevir's report below.
Voters in Cumbria have said yes in the country's first neighbourhood planning referendum.
The Upper Eden area, around Brough and Kirkby Stephen, went to the polls yesterday to decide if residents wanted to have more of a say over local planning decisions.
Ninety per cent of those who voted supported the plan.
Votes in favour: 1,310
Votes against: 138
Total Turnout: 1,452 (33.67%)
The vote was part of the government's localism agenda to give more power to local communities and cut some of the red tape surrounding planning decisions.
The neighbourhood plan, drawn up locally, will allow the people of Upper Eden to decide where homes should be built and whether redundant farm buildings can be converted.
The plan will now go to Eden District Council and will influence any planning decisions in the area.
– Gordon Nicholson, Leader of Eden District Council“I offer my congratulations to the Upper Eden Planning Group on a successful result. I am delighted that the residents of Upper Eden have decided by a significant majority to endorse the Upper Eden Community Plan. This is the first plan in the country. I do hope that local people will now submit planning applications and we look forward to dealing with them."
Voting is underway in Cumbria in the country's first neighbourhood planning referendum.
People in Upper Eden are deciding whether they want more of a say in the planning decisions.
It is part of a government initiative to give communities extra powers.
Some voters gave their reactions:
Cumbrian voters are being urged to go to the polls in an historic referendum in Cumbria. People in Upper Eden are the first in the country to hold a Neighbourhood Planning Referendum to decide if they want a greater say in how their community develops.
Penrith & the Border MP, Rory Stewart, wants people to have their say. Voting takes place from 7am to 10pm.
Cumbrian voters go to the polls today in an historic referendum. People living in the Upper Eden area will be the first in the country to hold their own Neighbourhood Planning Referendum. It gives them the chance to have a greater say in how their community develops and where new homes are built.
What happens in Cumbria is expected to watched closely by other areas of the country.
Voting starts at 7am and will go on until 10pm. The result should be know shortly after 11.30pm. There are 17 polling stations.
People can vote at:
Warcop Village Hall
Brough Memorial HallCrosby Garrett Village Hall
Kirkby Stephen Centenary Chapel School
Kaber Village Hall
The Lodge, The Green, Outhgill
Great Musgrave Institute
Black Bull Inn, Nateby
Newbiggin on Lune Public Hall
Soulby Methodist Hall
North Stainmore Parish Hall
Winton Village Hall