The Neighbourhood Planning Steering group would like to thanks residents for voting in the referendum on Thursday. The Old School Rooms was the venue for the vote on the question ‘Do you want North Somerset Council to use the Neighbourhood Plan for Congresbury to help decide planning applications in the neighbourhood area?’

The result was that 86 per cent of those that voted were in favour of the Neighbourhood Plan. Turnout was just under 28 per cent. The next stage is that North Somerset council formally adopt the plan at a council meeting scheduled in November.

Several members of the Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group and councillors attended the count as observers including Di Hassan, Tom Leimdorfer, Dawn Harrison, Ray Clarke and Mike Greaves.

Liz Greaves, clerk to the parish council, noted that the Neighbourhood Plan is very ambitious in its content and it was very important that the community responded and voted in favour of the plan which covers the period up to 2036.

Both North Somerset and the parish council will now take the plan into consideration when making planning decisions and the parish council can start working towards the community actions outlined. Any additional Community Infrastructure Levy from any future developments can be put into funding some of the projects.

“Many thanks again to all those who supported the plan which has taken almost four years of hard work to get to this stage. North Somerset council planning officers must also be thanked for advising and supporting the steering group throughout all of the development stages,” said Ms Greaves. If you have any queries with regard to the plan please contact the Parish Office.