WILTSHIRE Council is due to report back by the end of July on a new Neighbourhood Plan for Bradford on Avon.

Earlier this year, Bradford on Avon town councillors submitted the draft plan to Wiltshire Council and are anxiously waiting for the county’s response to their proposals.

Emma Sylvester, of Bradford on Avon Town Council, said: “We are expecting Wiltshire Council to issue a statement by the end of July.”

Last year, councillors expressed concerns that Wiltshire Council would amend the plan by steering it towards a countywide strategy which may not be in the best interests of the town.

At the end of July, Wiltshire Council is expected to state whether it will be making any modifications or amendments to the draft plan before it is formally adopted.

When the outcome is known, Bradford on Avon residents and businesses will be able to vote for or against the plan in a public referendum.

If 50% or more accept the final proposals, the plan will be formally adopted and will help inform any new developments in the town.

The new initiative will give the local community more of a say in local planning decisions impacting on the town and the surrounding area. With support from local residents and businesses, it should provide a clear framework for the future.

Emma said: “Anyone who wishes to develop housing, factories or offices in the town will have to refer to the plan. Bradford on Avon Town Council and Wiltshire Council will use it to determine future planning applications.”

The final plan – when it’s published - will be the result of many years of consultation. The town council set up the Bradford on Avon Neighbourhood Plan Working Group, which brought together representatives of the town council and a wide range of other stakeholders from the community, to produce the draft plan.

They were tasked with producing a Neighbourhood Plan for the Bradford on Avon Neighbourhood Area. Their draft plan covers six key strands: housing, traffic and transport, the local economy, community wellbeing, climate change and green spaces.

Focus groups made up of residents, business owners, architects, planners and councillors examined the proposals and commented on the draft plan before it was submitted.