Information Statement - Tavistock Neighbourhood Plan Referendum

Information statement and information for voters about the upcoming Tavistock neighbourhood plan referendum on 1 May 2025.

A referendum relating to the Tavistock neighbourhood plan will be held on Thursday, 1 May 2025.

This information sheet explains more about the Referendum that will be taking place.

The question to be asked at the referendum will be:

"Do you want West Devon Borough Council to use the Neighbourhood Plan for Tavistock to help it decide planning applications in the neighbourhood area?"

You vote by putting a cross (X) in the 'Yes' or 'No' box on the ballot paper.

If more people vote 'yes' than 'no' in the referendum, then West Devon Borough Council will use the Tavistock neighbourhood plan to help it to decide planning applications within Tavistock.

The neighbourhood plan, once adopted, will then become part of the development plan used by the Local Planning Authority (West Devon Borough Council).

If more people vote 'no' than 'yes' in this referendum, or there is a tied vote, then planning applications will continue to be decided without reference to the neighbourhood plan as part of the development plan for the local area.

The Referendum will be conducted in accordance with procedures similar to those used at local government elections. 

What is neighbourhood planning?

Neighbourhood planning was introduced under the Localism Act 2011 to give local communities more control in the planning of their neighbourhoods. It introduced new rights and powers to allow local communities to shape new development in their local area. It enables communities to develop a shared vision for their neighbourhood and deliver the sustainable development they need.

What is a neighbourhood area?

A neighbourhood area can cover single streets or large urban or rural areas. The boundaries of a neighbourhood area are put forward by:

  • Town or parish councils, or
  • A neighbourhood forum (in areas without a town or parish council)

What is a development plan?

In England, planning applications are determined by local planning authorities in accordance with the development plan. A development plan is a set of documents that set out the policies for the development and use of land for a given area.

Tavistock Neighbourhood Area

The Referendum area is the area which has been designated as the Tavistock Neighbourhood Plan area. The map can be viewed in the neighbourhood plan document at the link below:

Tavistock neighbourhood plan

Referendum campaign costs 

An individual or body can incur costs during the period of the Referendum for the purposes of campaigning in association with the Referendum.

The Referendum expenses limit that will apply to the Tavistock Neighbourhood Area is £2,952.95.  The number of people entitled to vote in the Referendum by reference to which this limit has been calculated is 10,016.

Specified documents

The following specified documents can be inspected on the Council's website at 

Specified documents

The specified documents are:

  • Tavistock Neighbourhood Plan
  • Report of the Independent Examiner
  • Summary of the representations submitted to the Independent Examiner
  • A statement by the local planning authority that the draft plan meets the basic conditions (Decision Statement)
  • Information Statement and Information for Voters (this document)

In the event of anyone being unable to view these documents online, paper copies may be inspected instead - contact the Neighbourhood Planning Team by emailing neighbourhoodplan@swdevon.gov.uk or phone 01822 813600.

A copy of the plan is available for inspection at Tavistock Town Council’s Offices during normal opening hours.  The Town Council may be contacted on 01822 613529 or by email at info@tavistock.gov.uk.

Who can vote?

A person is entitled to vote if at the time of the Referendum they meet the eligibility criteria to vote in a local election for the area and if they live in the Referendum area. The eligibility criteria are:

You are registered to vote in local government elections on Friday, 11 April 2025 and

  • You are 18 years of age or over on Thursday, 1 May 2025
  • If you are not registered, you won't be able to vote. You can check if you are registered by calling our helpline on 01822 813604

If you are not registered to vote, you can go online to Gov.UK with your national insurance number by midnight on Friday, 11 April 2025. If you do not have access to the internet, please call our helpline on 01822 813604 during office hours making sure that you allow sufficient time to complete and return an application form by 11 April 2025.

How to vote

There are three ways of voting:

In person

  • On Thursday, 1 May 2025 at your appointed polling station
  • You will receive a poll card confirming the polling stations for this referendum. The polling stations will be open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

By post

  • If you have a postal vote already you will receive a poll card confirming this
  • If you want to vote by post, you will need to complete an application form and send it to the Electoral Registration Officer at West Devon Borough Council (at the address below) to arrive by 5pm on Monday 14 April 2025. You can apply online at Gov.UK. Application forms can be downloaded from the Electoral Commission website or you can call our helpline on 01822 813604 or email elections@westdevon.gov.uk to request an application form
  • Postal votes can be sent overseas but you need to think about whether you will have time to receive and return your completed postal vote by 1 May 2025
  • Your postal vote will be sent out about 11 days before polling day.
  • If your postal vote doesn’t arrive, or you make a mistake, you can ask for a replacement from Friday, 25 April to 5 p.m. on Thursday, 1 May 2025 by contacting our helpline on 01822 813604.

By proxy

  • If you have a proxy vote already you will receive a poll card confirming this
  • If you can't get to the polling station and don't wish to vote by post, you may be able to vote by proxy. This means allowing somebody that you trust to vote on your behalf.
  • If you want to vote by proxy, you will need to complete an application form and send it to the Electoral Registration Officer at West Devon Borough Council (at the address below) to arrive by 5.00pm on Wednesday 23 April 2025. You can apply online at Gov.Uk. Application forms can be downloaded on the Electoral Commission's website or you can call our helpline on 01822 813604 or email elections@westdevon.gov.uk to request an application form.

How to find out more

Further general information on neighbourhood planning is available at the link below:

Neighbourhood planning

For queries about planning issues and neighbourhood planning in general, please contact the Neighbourhood Planning Team by emailing NeighbourhoodPlan@swdevon.gov.uk

You can find specific documents on the Tavistock Neighbourhood Plan at the link below: 

Tavistock neighbourhood plan

For more information about voting and the arrangements for this Referendum, please contact our Helpline on 01822 813604 or email elections@westdevon.gov.uk  

Published on: 20 March 2025

Steven Mullineaux
Proper Officer 
West Devon Borough Council
Kilworthy Park
Tavistock
PL19 0BZ