MP Mel Stride is urging residents within the parish of Bovey Tracey to cast their vote in the Neighbourhood Plan referendum on February 3.

Ballot cards notifying residents of the election should be arriving on doormats from Teignbridge District Council this week.

If it passes, the plan will serve as a legally binding statutory planning document that guides development and conservation within the parish.

Neighbourhood Plans stem from the Localism Act of 2011 which gives communities greater say over local development.

While the plan must comply with national legislation and can’t plan for less development than planned by Teignbridge District Council, it can have a significant impact on the kind of new homes that are built and where.

Mr Stride, the Central Devon MP, said: ’Over the past decade many communities in Central Devon have successfully produced Neighbourhood Plans, helping to shape the location and design of local development, protect green spaces and help economic regeneration, for example through more business space.

’A huge amount of hard work goes into them over many years by the volunteers who compile them.

’I strongly urge residents in Bovey to read the plan and have a say on the future of their parish by voting in the referendum.’

All the appropriate documents are available at www.boveytracey.gov.uk.