MID Devon District Council will now be required to use the Neighbourhood Plan for Crediton to help it decide planning applications in the neighbourhood area after electors in Crediton voted for the plan’s adoption.

The number of people who voted Yes to the Question: “Do you want Mid Devon District Council to use the Neighbourhood Plan for Crediton to help it decide planning applications in the neighbourhood area?” was 719.

Those who voted against totalled 94.

The percentage was 88 per cent in favour of the adoption of the Plan and just 12 per cent against.

The turnout in the election, held on Thursday, September 22, was 13 per cent.

A total of 813 ballot papers were issued from the electorate of 6,173.

Because more than 50 per cent of people voting supported the Neighbourhood Plan, it has now been adopted.

Over several years, Crediton Town Council’s Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group has conducted surveys throughout the town with people of all ages.

It has held public consultations and exhibitions and gathered evidence and specialist advice.

All this has contributed to producing the Plan.

Following approval of the plan by an independently appointed examiner and by Mid Devon District Council, the referendum was the next step.

The plan provides policies to guide development alongside existing district and national policy documents.

Its objectives are to:

• Facilitate housing, businesses and infrastructure that fulfils economic, social and environmental ambitions for Crediton

• Promote a strong sense of community, where people enjoy living and working

• Improve the quality and quantity of sustainable transport options

• Be more resilient to climate change

• Promote Crediton as an attractive town to do business in

• Maintain and enhance our heritage

• Maintain Crediton’s unique setting between the rivers Yeo and Creedy, and its green infrastructure and biodiversity.

The election count was held following the closure of the polls in the Meadow Suite at Lords Meadow Leisure Centre.

The announcement of the result was made by the returning officer Jill May.

Following the result, Crediton Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group Chair, Cllr Liz Brookes-Hocking said: “This is good news for the future of Crediton.

“I would like to thank the people of Crediton for their support.

“The Plan has legal status to help Mid Devon District Council deliberate future planning applications for Crediton.

“We can now put some policies designed specifically for Crediton in place.”