A VOTE is taking place next month which could give Wool residents more say on the future use of land in the village.

Wool Parish Council, in collaboration with residents, has put together a Neighbourhood Plan document that aims to give residents more say in the future use of land and buildings in Wool.

This plan is used to say where new homes, shops, or offices might be built or where important green spaces might be protected – and it is supposed to reflect the hopes and views of the community.

Following a successful examination of the plan, it can now go to referendum, which is taking place on Thursday, March 20.

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If a plan is supported by a local referendum, it will be used to inform decisions on planning applications in consultation with the national planning policy framework and the adopted local plan.

Residents will be asked to vote ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ on whether Dorset Council should use the Neighbourhood Plan document to help decide planning applications.

Councillor Shane Bartlett, Dorset Council’s cabinet member for planning and emergency planning, said: “It takes a tremendous amount of work to pull together a Neighbourhood Plan.

“I congratulate all involved in getting to this stage.

“I would encourage anyone with an interest in the future development of Wimborne St Giles to view the plans and have their say.

“Residents will need to ensure that they are on the electoral roll if they intend to vote on the plans in these March referendums.”

View the Wool neighbourhood plan

The Wool neighbourhood plan can be viewed online (click here) with hard copies of the supporting material on display in the Council Offices, Colliton Park, Dorchester and Wool Community Library.

How to vote

The Wool Neighbourhood Plan referendum will be held on March 20. People have to be registered to vote by March 4 to vote in these referendums.

The polling stations will be open from 7am to 10pm on March 20.

Photo ID is required to vote at a polling station.

Anyone without photo ID can apply for a free voter ID document, which is known as a Voter Authority Certificate. Applications for Voter Authority Certificates must be received by 5pm Wednesday, March 12.

How to vote – post or proxy

To vote by post or proxy in these referendums, an application form will need to be sent in and sent it to Electoral Registration.

Postal and proxy vote application forms are available online or by emailing the Electoral Services team or calling 01305 838299.

Applications to vote by post must be received by 5pm on Wednesday, March 5. To vote by proxy, application forms should be received by 5pm on Wednesday, March 12.

Questions can be emailed to: neighbourhoodplanning@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk

Alternatively, they can be posted to: Spatial Planning, County Hall, Colliton Park Dorchester DT1 1XJ.