Broughton prepares for a referendum about its future

St John Baptist Church in Broughton Pic: Tony Worrall

Broughton looks set to go to the polls later this year to decide how it should develop over the next decade.

With the village’s population set to increase by 50 per cent by 2026 the plan outlines how the area to the north of the city should develop.

Broughton’s current population is around 2,000 people.

Councillors on Wednesday (15 August) will be asked to spend £20,000 next year on holding the referendum on whether the development plan should be accepted.

Over half of those who vote must support the neighbourhood plan for it to be valid. Only Broughton residents will be allowed to vote.

The plan has been produced by Broughton Parish Council, and was first formulated in 2016 and has seen a number of amendments made to it since then and been verified by an independent examiner.

Chairwoman of the parish council Pat Hastings told Blog Preston: “Broughton Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group and Parish Council after two years of hard work including a real learning curve alongside Preston City Council finally got the go ahead for our plan from the Independent Examiner in June.

“This is the next stage in the complex process that once agreed by the Cabinet will progress to a referendum in the Autumn and as long as we get a good turn out with a majority in favour it should be on the statute before Christmas.

“Broughton can then look forward to controlling the speculative development in the parish and build a community that will welcome the newer residents, enhance the environment/heritage and reestablish a thriving village.

“I urge other Parish’s to follow our lead as this will enable them to build future communities in the way their communities wants.”

If accepted the neighbourhood plan would be valid until 2026.

What is a neighbourhood plan?

It allows communities to set policies for development and use of land in their neighbourhoods.

The neighbourhood plan would form part of the city council’s local plan – and may restrict development in the area.

Where can I read the neighbourhood plan?

There’s a copy of it on the city council website, although it is still an amended version as the city council’s cabinet have to approve some final changes to it.

What do you think of the idea of a neighbourhood plan? Let us know your views in the comments below