AN overwhelming 80 per cent of voters have backed Newton Abbot’s Neighbourhood Plan, potentially bringing £3.5 million to the town.

With 20 per cent of the electorate turning out to have their say in the referendum, 3,876 people voted yes to the plan which earmarks projects to improve the town over the next 20 years.

Having the plan in place, which Teignbridge Council planners must now consider when deciding on planning applications, will mean Newton Abbot town council could be looking at a £3.5 million cash windfall from future housing development.

Included in the ambitious plan, which has taken several years to put together, are proposals for a community hub to become home to the town council and museum, outdoor play equipment outside Asda, tree, shrub and flower planting around the town, improved leisure provision and more sports pitches.

Mayor of Newton Abbot Cllr Liz Roberts said: ‘I am truly delighted that the people of Newton Abbot have given the Newton Abbot Neighbourhood Development Plan such an overwhelming mandate.

‘The adoption of this plan is going to provide the town council with the opportunity to shape our town into what is needed by our various communities now and into the future.’

The plan will now be presented to Teignbridge Council’s ruling executive to be formally ‘made’ which means it will become a legally binding document.

After the formal adoption, planning decisions in Newton Abbot will be determined in accordance with Newton Abbot Neighbourhood Development Plan and the Teignbridge Local Plan 2013 to 2033.

From June, Newton Abbot Town Council will be entitled to receive 25 per cent of a charge to developers, known as the Community Infrastructure Levy, to spend on infrastructure which they decide is needed such as community facilities, green spaces, cycle paths, allotments and road improvements.

Parishes which do not have a Neighbourhood Plan in place only receive 15 per cent.

Housing developers are required to pay a levy to Teignbridge from the start of house building. 

Cllr Mike Hocking, chairman of the town council’s planning and resources committee, said: ‘I am delighted that a huge majority of Newton Abbot voters have supported the town council’s initiative to pursue a Neighbourhood Plan for the town.

‘I would like to thank all those members of the community who, with town councillors and staff, formed the steering group and who worked tirelessly to make this plan a reality.

‘The outcome is that the future growth of the town will be shaped and supported for the benefit of the community now and going forward.

‘The town council through the increased CIL income will be more readily able to facilitate the delivery of further community projects as identified in the original community plan and now taken forward in this new plan.’

Cllr Colin Parker, chairman of the town council’s finance and audit committee, said: ‘I was present at the count for the vote and am extremely pleased with the overwhelming almost 80 per cent in favour of adopting the Plan.

‘This will mean that this plan’s goals and intents now become a legal part of the planning system and must be considered in the approval of planning applications and development decisions in the designated area.

‘The receipt of CIL monies, as and when they become available, will provide great assistance in the forward delivery of the plan’s aims and objectives for this our ever growing and strategically important town many years into the future.’

The plan was created by Newton Abbot Town Council with the help of the Newton Abbot Community Interest Company and local residents, with support from Teignbridge District Council. 

The steering group, chaired by resident Roger Grainger who is now a town councillor, led the process of establishing the plan and included representatives from local businesses, residents, community organisations, town and district councillors and local schools.

Emily Farrell, business manager of Newton Abbot CIC, said: ‘As a CIC, we have been keen to promote the opportunities that having a Neighbourhood Plan in place would bring to the town.’

Phil Rowe, town clerk, added: ‘This is a momentous day for Newton Abbot.

‘For the town council the hard work starts now, to ensure the contents of the plan are delivered in shaping the growth of the town for the benefit of its communities, now and over the next 20 years.’