VILLAGERS in West Monkton and Cheddon Fitzpaine are voting in a referendum this month to have more say in where future homes are built in the parishes.

They are going to the polls on Thursday, April 19, to decide whether or not to adopt a community-led neighbourhood plan for West Monkton and Cheddon Fitzpaine.

If more than 50 per cent of those voting are in favour of the neighbourhood plan it will become part of the development plan for the area and be used by the council when making decisions on planning applications.

People are entitled to vote if at the time of the referendum if they meet the eligibility criteria to vote in a local election for the area, and if they live in the referendum area.

To vote in a local government election you must:

  • be registered to vote;
  • be 18 or over on the day of the election (‘polling day’);
  • be a British, Commonwealth or EU citizen;
  • be resident at an address in the area you wish to vote in;
  • not be legally excluded from voting.

The West Monkton and Cheddon Fitzpaine Neighbourhood Development Plan and its supporting documents can be viewed by clicking here.

Hard copies are also available to view at:

  • Taunton Deane Borough Council Offices at Deane House, Belvedere Road Taunton, Somerset, TA1 1HE; reception hours Monday to Thursday 8.30am to 5pm and Friday 9.30am to 4.30pm.
  • Taunton Library, Paul Street, Taunton TA1 3XZ;
  • West Monkton Village Hall, Monkton Heathfield, TA2 8NE;
  • Brittons Ash Community Hall, Bridgwater Road, Bathpool, TA2 8FT;
  • West Monkton Primary School, Bridgwater Road, Bathpool, TA2 8FT;
  • Heathfield Community School, School Road, Monkton Heathfield, TA2 8PD;
  • Tacchi-Morris Arts Centre, School Road, Monkton Heathfield, TA2 8PD;
  • Heathfield Drive Community Room, Monkton Heathfield, TA2 8PG;
  • Monkton Elm Garden Centre, Monkton Heathfield, TA2 8QN;
  • The Monkton Inn, Blundells Lane, West Monkton, TA2 8NP;
  • The Merry Monk, Monkton Heathfield, TA2 8NE;
  • The New Mill, 102 Bridgwater Rd, Bathpool, TA2 8BE;
  • The clerk of West Monkton Parish Council;
  • Cheddon Fitzpaine Memorial Hall;
  • Cheddon Fitzpaine Church School;
  • The Crown Medical Centre, Venture Way, Taunton, TA2 8QY;
  • Priorswood Community Centre, 13-14 Eastwick Road, Taunton TA2 7JW;
  • The clerk of Cheddon Fitzpaine Parish Council.

Any questions about the referendum process or eligibility to vote should be addressed to the Taunton Deane Borough Council electoral services team on electoralservices@tauntondeane.gov.uk or telephone 01984-635276.

Questions about the Neighbourhood Development Plan or planning policy in general should be addressed to the joint planning team at talkingtomorrows@tauntondeane.gov.uk or telephone 01823-219522.