Why is Sandiacre holding a referendum?

The Derbyshire town of Sandiacre is to hold a referendum to decide whether a new neighbourhood plan will be introduced to help locals have more say over developments.

Sandiacre Parish Council said the plan would give communities a say on where new homes, shops and offices would be built, what they should look like and what infrastructure was needed in the town.

Residents will be invited to vote on 13 February.

With less than a month until a decision is made, the parish council and Erewash Borough Council have explained what the vote is all about.

A draft plan was prepared by Sandiacre Neighbourhood Plan Group on behalf of Sandiacre Parish Council and submitted to Erewash Borough Council in November 2023.

An independent examiner found the plan met all the necessary legal requirements and could proceed to the referendum in February.

A neighbourhood plan is a community-led framework established under the Localism Act 2011, enabling local communities to influence the development and growth of their area.

It allows residents to set policies on land use, housing, and infrastructure, provided they align with national and local planning regulations.

The parish council said the Sandiacre Neighbourhood Plan was a 15-year project and would run until 2037.

The plan focuses on key priorities set out by the parish council, including protecting green spaces, reducing flood risk, improving transport and reducing congestion and HGVs, revitalising the village centre, protecting heritage assets, and supporting sustainable housing.

The parish council has outlined "several other" areas of improvements that could be carried out if the plan is approved.

These include a new linear park and footbridge at the Erewash Canal, more trees and greenery along streets and address "parking issues" in the town.

Chairman of the parish council, Councillor Wayne Major, said the plan would give residents a "stronger voice" in choosing how land was used and developed in Sandiacre.

In the long term, Major said: "These measures aim to enhance the quality of life for current residents while ensuring the area develops in line with a long-term vision that benefits future generations."

In the short term, Major said policies within the plan would allow residents to have a say on "unwanted developments" within the town.

Unlike the parish, village or town plans that communities may have prepared, a neighbourhood plan forms part of the development plan and sits alongside the local plan prepared by the local planning authority, said the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

Decisions on planning applications will be made using both the local plan and the neighbourhood plan, and any other material considerations.

Erewash Borough Council said only Neighbourhood Plans go to referendum, not Local Plans.

As Sandiacre Parish Council is not a planning authority, Erewash Borough Council is holding the referendum.

The question being asked is: Do you want Erewash Borough Council to use the Neighbourhood Plan for Sandiacre to help it decide planning applications in the neighbourhood area?

If the voters reject it, then the plan would not progress towards adoption, and Sandiacre Parish Council would need to decide whether they wish to amend it or discontinue it.

Residents will be able to vote in person at their polling station, either at Sandiacre Memorial Institute or Sandiacre Cricket Club between 07:00 and 22:00 GMT.

If you are unable to vote in person, you can apply to vote by post or appoint someone to vote as a proxy on your behalf.

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