More than half the residents from Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge have opted for a postal vote in the forthcoming referendum on the area’s Neighbourhood Plan, it has been revealed.
They will receive ballot papers nearly two weeks before polling day (September 20th) and councillors say anyone who doesn’t get their paperwork on time should get in touch with Sedgemoor Electoral Services.
Speaking on behalf of Burnham-on-Sea and Highbridge Town Council, Councillor Phil Harvey, who chaired the group of residents who drew up the Plan, told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “We understand around 60% of those eligible to vote in the Neighbourhood Plan referendum will be submitting their ballot papers by post.”
“We, Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge Town Council and Burnham Without Parish Council, are keen that everyone who is allowed to vote has their say on whether the 2014-2032 Plan should be adopted as part of our planning policy for the area. Therefore anyone who has registered for a postal vote and hasn’t received their paperwork by September 7th needs to get in touch with Sedgemoor Electoral Services by calling 0300 303 7800.”
“It is also important that people get their postal votes back in a timely fashion, so their vote is counted and, also, prior to voting that everyone has the opportunity to see the proposed Plan, and to consider what it means for them and how it can benefit our community as a whole, not just now, but for generations to come.”
The Plan in full can be seen online and copies can also be viewed at the Town Council offices, Burnham Library, Highbridge Library, Highbridge Community Hall, BiARS and the Community Centre in Berrow Road.
A leaflet will be hand-delivered to all residents of Burnham-on-Sea and Highbridge by the Hillview Carnival Club along with a new Town Guide booklet to give people more information about the referendum.
All those eligible to vote in the referendum will also be sent voting cards and postal voters will receive their ballot papers on September 6th or 7th.
Cllr Harvey added: “If more than half the area’s residents’ vote ‘yes’ to the Plan it will enable us together to create somewhere wonderful to live, work and play. It’s also about protecting the very best of what we have already and conserving and preserving our green spaces and the aspects of our natural and built environment that are fabulous already.”
“Our own Plan will give us some control over our two town centres and allow us to have a say on what new buildings and homes would look like. It will also allow us to influence what infrastructure should be provided and Sedgemoor District Council would be obliged to use our Plan when determining future planning applications for our towns. It will give us a much greater say on what happens here too.”
“If the majority vote ‘no’ in the referendum, however, then we won’t be allowed to adopt the Plan and only Sedgemoor policies will apply, as they currently do now.”
“Our Plan is all about bringing real benefits to the whole community. It includes protection of our area’s important open spaces from inappropriate development by designating them as ‘local green spaces’. This will give extra protection to Apex Park, Burnham Road playing fields and Southwell Gardens in Highbridge and Marine Cove, Manor Gardens, Crosses Pen and South Esplanade Lawns in Burnham, so they can be used and enjoyed, as they should be, for generations to come.”
“The Plan will be good for business and employment too by supporting the retention of retail and work opportunities in Highbridge town centre. There’s support as well for ‘green’ policies in the new Isleport Business Park and with any new housing being built. For example, there is encouragement for the provision of points for charging electric cars.”
In Burnham, the Plan covers, in any redevelopment proposed, the retention of the best aspects of the High Street area and provides details on possibilities for establishing a ‘Town Square’ in Princess Street. There are also strategies to ensure that, in any redevelopment of Pier Street car park, the whole car park is covered by a comprehensive over-arching scheme.
Cllr Harvey added: “Our Neighbourhood Plan also aims to enhance the environment for local residents with policies to ensure that new housing is built to high design standards with priority given to pedestrians and cyclists, and the creation of networks of streets, paths and accesses, which are pleasant and safe to use. In addition, flood mitigation measures would be put in place to protect new homes and businesses.”
“It’s very important we all have our say in the future of our two towns and the area we live, work and play in, how they are shaped and grow. This referendum is all about our environment and how it is protected and enhanced. It’s also about helping businesses that provide employment for locals and boost our local economy to help them thrive here. Plus, it’s how our community remains safe for the benefit of all and enables our children and grandchildren to flourish.”
The referendum to decide whether the proposed Neighbourhood Plan should be adopted as part of the planning policy in Burnham-on-Sea and Highbridge takes place on Thursday, September 20th.
For more information about the Neighbourhood Plan, call 01278 238168 or visit www.burnhamandhighbridgeneighbourhoodplan.org.
Puictured: Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge Town Clerk, Tatiana Cant with the Neighbourhood Plan and Parish Clerk for Burnham Without Parish Council, Richard Young
