A referendum on Malmesbury’s Neighbourhood Plan could be held before the New Year after an independent examiner confirmed it met the basic conditions required.

These conditions, as set out in the Town and County Act 1990, mean the plan must adhere to national policy, contribute to the achievement of sustainable development, conform to strategic policies in the area and not breach EU regulations.

A referendum is the final stage to get the plan adopted as part of Wiltshire Council’s planning policy.

It will give all registered voters in the Neighbourhood Designated Area – Brokenborough, St Paul Without and Malmesbury Town – the opportunity to vote yes or no on the plan.

Malmesbury will become the first Neighbourhood Plan in Wiltshire to reach the referendum stage, subject to the completion of examiner John Mattocks’ recommendations.

These relate mainly to the necessity to keep the plan up to date, taking into account the developments since the final plan was prepared in September 2013, and the position of the emerging Wiltshire Core Strategy.

Another modification will ensure policies in the plan provide a clear context for taking decisions on planning applications as required in the National Planning Policy Framework.

Simon Killane, chairman of the Malmesbury Neighbourhood Steering Group which created the plan, said: “I think it’s a fantastic achievement, it leaves us in a brilliant position to have the referendum.

“It gives us a bit of expert reassurance that what we are doing is right.”

Mr Mattocks did recommend two amendments:

* A specific allocation of land for the creation of five workshops as part of the site 3A, near Malmesbury Primary School, should not be made as a matter of policy.

* Policy five should be replaced by a criterion-based policy to reflect the opening of the new Waitrose.

The report was published after the hearing on September 18, where Mr Mattocks heard representation on issues relating to the proposed allocation of land on two sites for 170 homes.