Successful event paves way for referendum in spring 2017

More than 200 people from Ottery parish turned out to play a part in the future development of their community.

An exhibition was held in The Station on Saturday to update members of the public on the process of creating a Neighbourhood Plan.

Many attendees took up the opportunity to leave their feedback and comments.

The finished result of the project will be a statutory document which – once adopted – will form a blueprint to shape the nature of development in the town and surrounding villages.

Town councillor Jo Talbot is leading the initiative and said the successful exhibition event should pave the way for a referendum on the Neighbourhood Plan in spring 2017.

She said: “We think there were at least 200 members of the public who visited and the comments box was pretty much full up.”

The project is community-led and offers all residents of the parish a chance to influence changes in their neighbourhood. It can also act as a safeguard against unwanted development.

Councillor Talbot explained that the process of refining policies will now get under way to create the first full draft of the plan, ready for a formal six-week consultation process.

She thanked everyone who has helped out so far, but says there is still a lot of work to be done before the final plan is completed.

For more information, contact Ottery Town Council on 01404 812252, email osmtc@hotmail.co.uk, visit www.otterystmary-tc.gov.uk, or search Ottery St Mary Parish Neighbourhood Parish Plan on Facebook.