PLANS to boycott a village referendum could backfire and actually lead to more people getting out to vote.

Villagers in Bishops Lydeard and Cothelstone are going to the polls today (Thursday) to decide whether the parish council should be able to rule where new homes are built.

Bob Bainbridge is calling on residents not to take part in the yes/no vote on adopting a neighbourhood plan, labelling it a "stitch-up".

But Mike Rigby, chairman of the committee that produced the plan, says accepting it would provide the parish with a £250,000 windfall that could go towards infrastructure improvements locally.

Mr Bainbridge said: "I've been knocking on doors trying to get people to boycott the referendum, but hardly anyone knew it was even taking place - maybe my efforts will lead to more people voting!

"The choice is vote yes and you are voting for 200 more houses in the fields where Taunton Road meets the A358.

"Vote no and the outcome is worse - that's not a choice, it's a stitch-up."

Mr Bainbridge said signing up to the neighbourhood plan would increase the village population, putting pressure on local services, parking and traffic jams.

He added: "Give us a real referendum and ask us, 'Do we want more housing estates, larger classroom sizes and a three-week wait to see the doctor?'"

Mr Rigby said a yes vote would give the community more control of where homes are built in Bishops Lydeard.

He added: "We're going to get up to 200 houses whether the neighbourhood plan is approved in the referendum or not.

"But if it is approved, the parish gets £250,000 more."

If the plan is accepted, the homes in two fields at Hither Mead and beside Taunton Road, which Taunton Deane Borough Council has already designated for development, would result in a £625,000 Community Infrastructure Levy for the parish council.

If it is rejected, the parish would get just £375,000, with the rest going to the Deane council, which could spend the money anywhere it chooses in the district.

"That money could go towards roads, the school and health in the parish," said Mr Rigby.

"I'd like to see a pavement for example on a section of Taunton Road where children walking to school have to walk in the road, or maybe it could go towards a cycle path or a new classroom at the school - it's a win-win situation."