A REFERENDUM is to be held on whether a part of Kidderminster should adopt a neighbourhood plan.

Residents of Churchill and Blakedown are to be asked the question on Thursday, May 4 – the same day Worcestershire County Council elections.

People will be asked to answer ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to the question, “Do you want Wyre Forest District Council to use the Neighbourhood Plan for Churchill and Blakedown to help it decide planning applications in the neighbourhood area?”

Neighbourhood Plans are part of a package of measures introduced by central Government to allow communities more say in the development that takes place in their area.

It sets out policies to guide development and can allocate sites for specific uses. The vision of the Churchill and Blakedown’s Neighbourhood Plan is to make sure that the two villages retain their distinct identities.

The Plan has been prepared by the Parish Council, which has been working with the District Council.

Councillor Ian Hardiman, Wyre Forest District Council’s Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Regeneration said: “Churchill and Blakedown Neighbourhood Plan is a result of a lot of work by the Parish Council and it has been liaising with the District Council for the past 4 years.

“There have been formal consultations and the go ahead for a referendum has been given, following an examination by an Independent Examiner.

“Now electors have the chance to have their say on whether they would like the District Council to use it when determining planning applications. ’’

The Neighbourhood Plan referendum will be the second in the district. Chaddesley Corbett’s Neighbourhood Plan was adopted in September 2014.

The referendum will be held at Blakedown Parish Rooms between 7am and 10pm.