The importance of voting in the referendum on the Falmouth Neighbourhood Plan next month has been highlighted by former mayor Grenville Chappel.

On August 19, people will be voting in the referendum to adopt the Falmouth Neighbourhood Plan (FNP) which is designed to protect the town from harmful development.

In a message posted on Facebook Mr Grenville highlights the Linden Homes development as to why it is important that people turn out to vote.

The development on a greenfield site on the banks of Swanpool known as Horse Fields was recommended for refusal by Falmouth Town Council and it was rejected by Cornwall Council.

But a planning inspector based in Bristol allowed an appeal by Linden Homes and so a housing estete was built on the banks of Swanpool.

“The appeal inspector was known to have commented that if the Falmouth Neighbourhood Plan had been further advanced then the appeal would have failed,” said Mr Chappel.

“The situation has changed dramatically, the FNP is now referenced by the planning authorities when determining applications and will carry full weight if passed by the referendum ot be held on August 19th.

“The Falmouth Neighbourhood Plan came too late to save the Horse Fields but if you wish to ensure similar developments do not happen on such cherished green spaces as Boscawen Field, The Beacon, Dracaena Playing Fields, Greenbank Gardens and well over 100 other green spaces, then vote yes on August 19."

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The plan was created by local people and organisations through the town council, and it must be endorsed by the local community in a local referendum before it can be used by Cornwall Council to guide future planning decisions.

The Falmouth Neighbourhood Development Plan was successful at its independent examination. On April 30, 2020 Cornwall Council announced that the plan could proceed a referendum of the people of Falmouth to approve its use in local town planning. However, the referendum was delayed due to COVID rules. It can now go ahead and is scheduled for Thursday 19th August 2021.

All residents should now have a polling card.

If residents need a refresher on their plan or want more information or want to talk about the plan then there are further drop in sessions at two local venues, Princess Pavilion and Falmouth Library on Saturday July 31, Monday, August 2 and Saturday, August 7 all between 10am to 6pm.

If people can’t get to a drop in session they can email queries or questions to NDP@FalmouthTownCouncil.com and they will forward that to a member of the Plan Group for response.

You can download the full plan at planforfalmouth.info/