People living in the Roseland area will become only the second community in Cornwall to have the chance to vote on their Neighbourhood Development Plan when a formal referendum is held on Thursday, 20 August.

Local councils across the UK were given the powers to develop Neighbourhood Development Plans as part of the 2011 Localism Act. Last year St Eval became the first community in Cornwall to stage a referendum on its Neighbourhood Development Plan and now people living in the parishes of St Just in Roseland, Gerrans, Veryan, Philleigh and Ruan Lanihorne will have the opportunity to give their views on the Roseland Plan.

The Roseland Plan, which was developed by a steering group with support and advice from members of Cornwall Council’s localism team and planning service, was submitted to Cornwall Council in December. Since then it has been subject to public consultation and, finally, an external examination.

The last stage of the process is a referendum which is being carried out by the staff from Cornwall Council’s elections service in accordance with procedures similar to those used at local government elections.

The question to be asked of voters at the referendum is: "Do you want Cornwall Council to use the neighbourhood plan for the Roseland to help it decide planning applications in the neighbourhood area?"

The notice of referendum has been published on the Cornwall Council website at www.cornwall.gov.uk/elections and poll cards have been sent to voters registered in St Just in Roseland, Gerrans, Veryan, Philleigh and Ruan Lanihorne.

More information about the Referendum and the proposed policies are available from the Roseland Plan website - http://www.roselandplan.org/.

Jon Smith, chair of the steering group, said: “I would ask all residents of the Roseland to take this opportunity to ensure your voice is heard and that we get a plan that delivers what you, the community, have told us you want. Please support the Roseland Plan on Thursday,"

Local Cornwall councillor Julian German said: “The Roseland Plan has been led by the community, for the community. The steering group is made up of residents and parish councillors and they have worked tirelessly over the last couple of years to engage with the community to understand what is important in planning terms. The referendum gives residents of the Roseland the opportunity to formally endorse the plan they have created."

Edwina Hannaford, the Council’s cabinet member for environment, heritage and planning, added: “I congratulate the Roseland community for all their hard work in bringing their Neighbourhood Development Plan to the finishing line. I hope this will be real spur to the other communities in Cornwall who are developing their plans. Once through the referendum, local planning applications can be determined by locally agreed planning policies. This is localism in action.”