A REFERENDUM on a blueprint for future development of Malmesbury and two neighbouring parishes has now been given the go ahead after public examination and government inspection.

The inspector appointed to examine the Malmesbury Neighbourhood Plan, John Mattocks, has made his decision and given approval to the plan with a few minor changes.

Mr Mattocks deemed the plan to be in accordance with relevant planning legislation meaning that the plan will be voted on by the people of Malmesbury, St Paul Without and Brokenborough in the near future.

Wiltshire Council will authorise the changes, which include a proposed site near Tetbury Hill Gardens not being allocated for development and adopting a more positive stance towards new supermarkets, and then it will be voted on to form a post-referendum version.

Chairman of the neighbourhood steering group Councillor Simon Killane said: “I think it’s one of those things where people probably don’t appreciate how significant it all is because planning can seem boring.”

The vote, which is expected to be before the end of the year, will take the form of a simple yes or no referendum and will follow a final period of public consultation on the details of the plan.

If the people vote in favour it will be the first neighbourhood plan to be adopted in Wiltshire and will prevent inappropriate development in the areas of housing, education, retail and business.

Simon said people needed to come out in numbers and vote when the referendum takes place.

He said: “It is a bit like the Scottish Referendum, when it comes, everyone will know about it.

“What I would hope is that people understand that probably one of the most important things they can do is go out and vote.

“The fate of our schools and business sites are all really important.”

Mr Mattocks was appointed to ensure that the plan meets the parameters required for it to be put to the public vote.

Last week he held a public examination at Malmesbury Town which clarified several areas such as housing numbers, highways, access arrangements and visual impact.

Following Mr Mattocks' decision, the steering group will be providing a variety of avenues to give people more details of the plan in the run up to the referendum.

There will be a newsletter distributed to every household and an open day will be held in the town hall.

A vote of more than 50 percent in favour is needed for the plan to be adopted.

For information go to www.malmesburyneighbourhood.com