Wiltshire has third highest number of Neighbourhood Plans
Wiltshire has the third highest number of 'made' Neighbourhood Plans in the country.
As a local authority, Wiltshire Council has 31 Neighbourhood Plans, which give communities power to shape their local area.
The Neighbourhood Plans allow residents to choose where they want new homes, shops and other developments to be built, to suit the community's needs.
Cllr Toby Sturgis, cabinet member for planning, said: "This is a great national milestone, and I'm delighted that Wiltshire Council is at the forefront of making Neighbourhood Plans.
"This achievement illustrates the hard work of our officers, who have created the right environment for Neighbourhood Plans to flourish and made it easier for communities to shape the future of developments in their area.
"Communities are key to shaping the development and growth of their local area, and neighbourhood plans are a vital part of this.
"We encourage all local residents to have their say on the future of their community."
A council spokesman said: "Wiltshire Council continues to offer support and guidance to town and parish councils with neighbourhood planning despite the ongoing Covid-19 situation."
Currently, there are five Neighbourhood Plans awaiting referendum, which have been recently postponed due to the ongoing coronavirus crisis.
The plans awaiting referendum are Lydiard Millicent, North Bradley, Market Lavington, Seagry Parish and Tockenahm.
"However, these Neighbourhood Plans can still be given significant weight in decision making on planning applications in their area, despite the referendums not yet having taken place," the council spokesman added.