Ottery and West Hill Neighbourhood Plan voted through in ‘landslide’ poll
Ottery St Mary neighbourhood committee members Elli Pang, Peter Faithfull, John White, Jo Talbot and Glyn Dobson. Ref shs 26 18TI 6547. Picture: Terry Ife - Credit: Archant
Celebrations have begun after a ‘landslide’ victory at the polls to adopt Ottery and West Hill’s Neighbourhood Plan.
Ottery St Mary neighbourhood committee members Elli Pang, Peter Faithfull, John White, Jo Talbot and Glyn Dobson. Ref shs 26 18TI 6547. Picture: Terry Ife - Credit: Archant
Electorates had their say at the ballot box last Thursday, with nearly 92 per cent voting in favour of implementing the plan.
The document, which covers Ottery, West Hill and neighbouring villages, will now be officially adopted by East Devon District Council [EDDC] and form a blueprint to influence future developments in the parish.
The proposals needed more than 50 per cent of those who voted to say ‘yes’ to get the green light.
The final vote stood at 1,375 yes, 120 no and four spoilt ballots out of the 1,429 ballot papers issue. The turnout for the referendum was nearly 25 per cent.
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Jo Talbot, chairman of the working group, said: “The result was an absolute landslide in favour of it.
“We now have a robust Neighbourhood Plan that will protect our town and villages until 2031.
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“It will give us a say right here at grass root level as to what happens and what development will be allowed.
“East Devon will have to listen to us and to take note of the plan. Well done to all those who turned out to vote. It is your plan after all.
“Thank you to all who contributed. Thank you to the Neighbourhood Plan Working Group who have worked on this for well over three years.”
The plan also outlines an action plan for regeneration throughout the parishes, including parking in Ottery and the protection of trees in West Hill.
It also focuses on economy, housing, traffic calming measures and celebrating heritage.
Glyn Dobson, vice-chairman of the steering group, said: “A lot of work has gone into it, Jo Talbot has been a good chairman.
“I think it has brought us [Ottery Town Council and West Hill Parish Council] closer together and I hope we can work together to bring about what is good in the Neighbourhood Plan and get the action points going.”
District councillor Roger Giles said: “It is really good news that it got supported by such a high percentage of people.
“Congratulations to the team who put the neighbourhood plan together, lead by Jo Talbot.
