Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council sets date for Ecchinswell, Sydmonton and Bishops Green Neighbourhood Plan referendum

A date has been set for the referendum which will decide whether the parish of Ecchinswell, Sydmonton and Bishops Green will accept its neighbourhood plan.

On Thursday, May 4, parishioners at their local polling station will be asked: “Do you want Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council to use the neighbourhood plan for Ecchinswell, Sydmonton and Bishops Green to help it decide planning applications in the neighbourhood area?”

If over 50 per cent of voters cast in favour, then Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council will ‘make’ the Ecchinswell, Sydmonton and Bishops Green Neighbourhood Plan.

The borough council released a notice that announced the referendum date along with other important information.

New applications for, or amendments or cancellations of, postal votes and amendments or cancellations of existing proxy votes must be reach the electoral registrations officer at the civic offices in Basingstoke by 5pm on Tuesday, April 18.

New applications to vote by proxy must reach the officer by 5pm a week later on Tuesday, April 25.

Applications to vote by emergency proxy at this referendum on the grounds of physical incapacity or because of work or service reasons that occurred after 5pm on April 25 must reach the officer by 5pm on Thursday, May 4.

All the other information about the referendum, including a link to the proposed neighbourhood plan itself, can be viewed on Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council’s website at https://bit.ly/3o15Upi

Hard copies of the referendum decision statement and examiner’s report can be viewed at Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council offices, Tadley Library and Newbury Library.