In a month’s time, on Thursday, November 27 the people of Malmesbury and its surrounding area will have the chance to vote for their Neighbourhood Plan in a local referendum.

This is the first time that such a vote has been held in Wiltshire, therefore it is important that everyone turns out and has their say.

If the plan gets local backing it will be a vital weapon in fighting off unwelcome housing development, as happened in March when a slip- up by Erik Pickles, the Conservative Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, led to 180 houses being approved outside of the original draft plan’s areas for new housing.

Liberal Democrats believe strongly that important decisions about the future of our communities should be taken by local people.

Malmesbury’s Neighbourhood Plan is the result of hard work by many local people of all political persuasions and none.

They are to be congratulated, as is the Prince’s Trust for its help in enabling the plan’s development.

I hope the people of Malmesbury and the surrounding area will vote to adopt the plan.

Whilst some may have doubts about specific parts of the plan it is important to note its adoption by the communities of Malmesbury, Brokenborough and St Paul’s Without will provide protection against the onslaught of further unwelcome development.

Dr Brian Mathew Liberal Democrat Prospective MP for North Wiltshire Yatton Keynell