RESIDENTS in and around Malmesbury are being urged to make “a well-informed decision” on Wiltshire’s first ever neighbourhood plan vote at a one-day referendum today.

People in the Malmesbury area will go to the polls to help shape the future of their town and its surrounding villages.

Simon Killane, Wiltshire councillor for Malmesbury, said: “This referendum is the first of its kind to occur in Wiltshire. It is important that every potential voter is made fully aware of the plan and what is proposed.”

The vice chairman of the Malmesbury Area Board stressed it was not for politicians to tell people how to vote.

He said: “But we are keen to make sure they know they are empowered to decide how they want to shape future development when they cast their vote.”

In a move that will be followed in other areas of the county, residents will be asked whether they want Wiltshire Council to adopt Malmesbury’s newly drawn-up Neighbourhood Plan as a template to help decide local planning applications.

A polling card or postal vote has been sent to all registered voters in Malmesbury Town and parishes Brokenborough and Malmesbury St Paul Without.

Voters will be asked to say yes or no to the question: “Do you want Wiltshire Council to use the neighbourhood plan for Malmesbury to help it decide planning applications in the neighbourhood area?”

If more than 50 per cent of respondents vote yes, the plan will become a formal planning document and it will help to determine future development in the town and surrounding area.

The designated polling stations are Malmesbury Town Hall, Malmesbury Leisure Centre, Old Post Office Brokenborough, Corston and Rodbourne Reading Room, and Malmesbury Library.

Wiltshire Council said neighbourhood planning gave communities “more control over the future of their area by giving local people the chance to have their say on what happens where they live.”

Such plans can include local priorities, planning policies, proposals for improving an area or providing new facilities or infrastructure and allocation of key sites for development.

The Malmesbury plan and other relevant documents can be seen at www.wiltshire.gov.uk/npfrontrunners

The documents are also available to view during normal opening hours at: Wiltshire Council offices at County Hall, Bythesea Road, Trowbridge; Wiltshire Council offices at Monkton Park, Chippenham and Malmesbury library in Cross Hayes Lane.