Residents to vote on Chesil Bank Neighbourhood Plan

The community could have a Neighbourhood Plan if residents give it the go ahead.

Following the successful examination of the Chesil Bank Neighbourhood Plan, incorporating the villages of Portesham, Abbotsbury, Langton Herring and Fleet, Dorset Council has agreed that the plan, as amended, can go to referendum. Residents must be registered to vote by 12 September 2023 to vote in this referendum.

Local referendums will take place in Chesil Bank on Thursday 28 September 2023, with local residents going to the polls to vote ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ to the proposals.

The plan was drawn up by local people and agreed by their Parish Council who felt confident that the plans reflect the hopes and views of their local communities.

What is a neighbourhood plan?

Neighbourhood plans were introduced in the Localism Act 2011 and aim to give residents more say in the future use of land and buildings in their area. For example the plan can say where new homes, shops or offices might be built or where important green spaces might be protected.

If the plan is supported by the local referendum it will be used to make decisions on planning applications.

Cllr David Walsh, Dorset Council’s Portfolio Holder for Planning, said:

“It takes a tremendous amount of work to pull together a Neighbourhood Plan. I congratulate all involved in getting to this stage.

“I would encourage anyone with an interest in the future development of Chesil Bank, to view the plans and have their say.”

View the plans

The Chesil Bank Neighbourhood Plan can be viewed online with hard copies of the supporting material on display in the Council Offices at Colliton Park in Dorchester, Portesham Village Hall foyer and at Dorchester and Chickerell Libraries.

How to vote

The Chesil Bank Neighbourhood Plan referendum will be held on 28 September 2023. You have to be registered to vote by 12 September 2023 to vote in these referendums.

The polling stations will be open from 7am to 10pm on 28 September 2023.

You now need photo ID to vote at a polling station. If you don’t have accepted photo ID, you can apply for a free voter ID document, which is known as a Voter Authority Certificate. Applications for Voter Authority Certificates must be received by 5:00 pm Wednesday 20 September 2023.

How to vote – post or proxy

To vote by post or proxy in these referendums, you will need to have filled in an application form and sent it to Electoral Registration.

Postal and proxy vote application forms are available online or by contacting the Electoral Services team by emailing [email protected] or calling 0135 838299

Applications to vote by post in the Chesil Bank referendum must be received by 5pm on 13 September 2023.

To vote by proxy, application forms should be received by 5pm on Wednesday 20 September 2023.

Questions can be emailed to: [email protected]

Alternatively, they can be posted to: Spatial Planning, County Hall, Colliton Park Dorchester DT1 1XJ.