Consultations on local plan referendums caused disagreement

Referendums, introduced under Neighbourhood Plans, would give communities the final say on whether a neighbourhood's development plan, development order or community right to build order comes into force in their area.

During the consultation process the Government proposed that the referendum process be combined with other elections or polls in the local area. It proposed that, where possible, referendums be "combined with other elections that are within three months (before or after) of the date the referendum could be held".

The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) proposed to increase the period under which referendums could be "tagged" to another local election to six months.

The response to DCLGs consultation closed in January and the consultation responses, (27-page/ 180 KB PDF) published this week show that responses were "evenly placed" between those who saw the strong benefits of retaining a three month timescale (42%) and those who favoured the greater flexibility and potential for efficiency savings offered by a six month timescale or a different period (30%).

The three months option was favoured by those who wanted to keep "momentum" in the neighbourhood planning process, whilst those who favoured the six month period claimed it would "ease organisational pressures".

The Government is now working with the Electoral Commission and Association of Electoral Administrators and other partners on developing new regulations.

In total there were 436 responses to the consultation, of which 201 were from parish or town councils, while 93 were from local authorities.