THE time for people to vote on the neighbourhood plan is edging closer – a referendum could be tabled as early as Christmas.

A draft vision statement was put on display at the town hall earlier this month for residents to leave their comments and people could be called to vote before the end of the year, says according to the steering group chairman Richard Wood.

Neighbourhood planning gives communities power to shape the development and growth of their local area, being able to choose where they want new homes, shops and offices to be built.

All those in the area of Melksham are able to take part in the referendum and if the majority vote in favour of the draft then it must be brought into legal force by the local planning authority.

“We are hoping for it to go forward later this year,” said Mr Wood.

“I cannot give a specific date but we are aiming for late this year or early next year.

“If you are interested in the planning process you should get involved and especially if you have some sort of expertise.

“It is a very wide-ranging document and there are many things to factor in. It has to be approved by the people of Melksham and it will then have some sort of weight.”

The mooted referendum comes as more than 2,000 houses – more than ten years’ worth – are being built or planned in the Melksham area, with more expected in the coming years.

The vision statement, in its first draft, looks ahead to between now and 2026 and is supported by both Melksham Town Council and Melksham Without Parish Council.

Member of the steering group Nick Westbrook said: “It is Government policy to build more houses. Petitions of protest when development plans are published simply will not prevent applications succeeding. More houses mean more pressure on local services.

“What we need is a comprehensive plan, backed by legislation and local people, which tells developers what they can and cannot build here in Melksham.

"Local people have a voice through the Melksham Neighbourhood Plan – but silence now could lead to yet more houses later. ”

The neighbourhood plan’s health and wellbeing task group will be meeting to consider the comments made by the people at the open sessions and will discuss future steps at Melksham Town Hall on Wednesday, July 20, starting at 2pm.

For more details go toand to view the vision statement please go to the neighbourhood plan website www.melkshamneighbourhoodplan.org