CHADDESLEY Corbett will be the first parish in Worcestershire to take part in a Neighbourhood Plan referendum.

At a Wyre Forest District Council cabinet meeting last week, members agreed that a referendum should be held on Thursday, September 11.

Residents who are on the register of electors will be asked to vote Yes or No to the question “Do you want Wyre Forest District Council to use the Neighbourhood Plan for Chaddesley Corbett to help it decide planning applications in the neighbourhood area?”

Chaddesley Corbett Parish Council has been working with the district council to prepare the plan since being awarded a £20,000 grant from the Department for Communities and Local Government in March, 2012.

Neighbourhood Plans are part of a package of measures introduced by central Government to allow communities more say in the development that takes place in their area by setting out policies to guide development.

As part of the Chaddesley Corbett plan the former school site in the village centre has been allocated for a mix of uses, including housing to meet local needs, open space and an extension to the burial ground.

The plan also safeguards the old grammar school building for community uses.

District councillor, Conservative John Campion, cabinet member for planning and economic regeneration, said: “The parish council has undertaken a significant task in preparing the Neighbourhood Plan and now electors have the chance to have their say on whether they would like the district council to use it when determining planning applications. ’’ The referendum will be held at Chaddesley Corbett Village Hall between 7am and 10pm on September 11.

Poll cards will be sent out to residents at the start of August and anyone who would like to register to vote, not already on the electoral roll, must do so by Tuesday, August 26.

For more information call the district council on 01562 732928 or email electoral@wyreforestdc.gov.uk