After years in the planning Falmouth's Neighbourhood Plan went out to the public vote yesterday - and the results are in.

The referendum saw all residents of Falmouth invited to vote on the content of the plan, which sets out how the town should - or should not be - developed in the coming years, the facilities that it needs and what areas need protecting.

Just before 1am today the result was announced at the count taking place at the Princess Pavilion - and it was an overwhelming majority in favour, with 93.6% of people voting 'yes' to accept the plan. It needed at least 50% 'yes' votes to be passed and adopted as a plan.

There were 3,471 'yes' votes, 228 'no' votes (6.1%) and six polling slips were rejected.

The turnout for the referendum was 21.08%.

The 'Yes Campaign Group' for the plan described it as "a wonderful result for Falmouth's future" and thanked everybody who voted.

A spokesperson said: "The result was a tremendous endorsement of Falmouth's Neighbourhood Development Plan and a fitting reward to all those who have given so much time effort in making it a reality.

"The future development and growth of Falmouth will now proceed in a manner determined by local aspirations and decisions. A truly great day for Falmouth."

At the same time the Neighbourhood Plans for Budock and Penryn were also counted, and both were also passed.

Penryn's plan received 703 'yes' votes (93.9%) on a turnout of 12.5% while Budock's plan received 337 'yes' votes (90.3%) on a turnout of 23.9%.

One of the aims of Falmouth's plan is to prevent unwanted developments happening in the future.

This was brought particularly to the fore recently when, in their decision to allow an appeal on building new homes at Swanpool, which had been refused by Cornwall Council, a Bristol planning inspector actually said if the town's neighbourhood plan had been completed he would have been more likely to refuse the appeal.

A spokesperson for the steering group behind the plan said the steady growth of Falmouth, including at the docks, tourism and the university sites, had created opportunities for Falmouth but also corresponding challenges.

Speaking before the referendum, the spokesperson said: "Those challenges can create divisions and issues if not effectively handled and planned for by an expressed, collective opinion.

"That’s why it is so vital that Falmouth residents of all ages realise that they have an opportunity to ensure that Falmouth’s future growth and development is planned in a sustainable and agreed way."

The plan has been developed over the past four years, with public consultation and an independent examination before it reached the referendum stage.

There had been concern from some in the run up to the vote that due to changes being made in the town over the last four years the document needed to be updated before being adopted, including the increasing number of second homes being purchased since Covid and the growth of Air BnB accommodation, displacing tenanted houses.