TETBURY residents are being encouraged to vote 'yes' for the future of the town.

A referendum to decide on the proposed Tetbury and Tetbury Upton Neighbourhood Plan will be held on Tuesday, December 5, 7am-10pm at the Dolphins Hall, New Church Street, Tetbury.

The plan has been developed over a lengthy process since Tetbury Town Council and Tetbury Upton Parish Council applied to designate the area with Cotswold District Council in 2013.

Interested volunteers formed the Tetbury and District Neighbourhood Planning Group to drive further progress.

The plan has been through public consultations, surveys and meetings with local groups including Sir William Romney's School, St Mary’s Primary School, Tetbury and District Civic Society, Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Tetbury Residents' Association.

Giles Preston, acting chair of the group, said: “I am often asked, why bother with a Neighbourhood Plan when Tetbury has nearly reached its full allocation of housing required by Cotswold District Council (CDC) and government.

"Having a Neighbourhood Plan provides Tetbury Town and Tetbury Upton with a unique opportunity to shape how development takes place and to help influence the type, quality and location of any further development.

"For example, we can stress how important it is to maintain, or enhance, our valuable remaining green spaces.

"In my opinion, we cannot afford not to be involved in the process, so I urge the residents of Tetbury and Tetbury Upton to vote 'yes' at the Referendum.”

Residents will have the opportunity to talk to someone at three open sessions to be held in the Dolphins Hall, New Church Street on:

  • Monday, November 27, 3pm-6.30pm
  • Wednesday, November 29, 9.30am-6.30pm
  • Thursday, Novembe 30, 9.30am-1.30pm

The plan can also be inspected at Tetbury Library during normal opening hours and at the Tetbury Town Council Offices Monday to Friday, 9am- 3pm.

The full set of Neighbourhood Plan documents can also be found online: tetbury.gov.uk/tetbury-district-neighbourhood-plan