Neighbourhood plans that will help influence developments in Newton Poppleford, Harpford, Farringdon and Otterton will go to a public vote on May 6.

“This follows extensive community consultations from parish councils in these areas with their residents.

If people vote in favour of the plans the documents will be used by East Devon District Council to help influence how planning applications are determined up until 2031.

If more people vote ‘yes’ than ‘no’ in a neighbourhood plan referendum, then the district council will adopt the relevant plan and it will become part of the statutory ‘development plan’ for East Devon.

A person is entitled to vote in the referendum for their parish if, on May 6, 2021 he or she is entitled to vote in a local government election in the referendum area; and, his or her qualifying address for the election is in the referendum area.

East Devon council officers explained this week that all information relating to the referendum is available to view on the council’s website at the following address: https://eastdevon.gov.uk/elections-and-registering-to-vote/election-information

The polling stations for the referendum will be as follows: Farringdon Neighbourhood Plan – Farringdon Village Hall; Newton Poppleford & Harpford Neighbourhood Plan – Newton Poppleford Village Hall; Otterton Neighbourhood Plan – Otterton Village Hall.

Further information on neighbourhood planning in East Devon, including the neighbourhood plans to be voted on at the forthcoming referendums, can be found on the planning pages of the district council website at: https://eastdevon.gov.uk/planning/planning-policy/neighbourhood-and-community-plans/

The district council encouraged people in the affected communities to have their say.

A spokesman said: “Once adopted, neighbourhood plans are key documents with a legal status which helps to influence the future shape and development of the areas they cover over many years.

“As such, we encourage all residents eligible to vote in these referendums to ensure they are registered, and to turn out to vote on the day. There are currently 19 adopted or ‘made’ neighbourhood plans in East Devon and therefore, should the referendums be successful, the addition of up to three more will significantly increase neighbourhood plan coverage in the district.”