THE Leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council hailed Winsford Town Council’s success in progressing the Neighbourhood Plan through the independent examination stage.

Last week, legal barrister Dr Charley Mynors, ruled that the document met the necessary basic conditions and other relevant statutory requirements to enable it to be submitted for referendum.

CWAC’s executive will rule on September 3 whether to accept the examiner's recommendations and proceed to referendum.

The borough council’s leader, Mike Jones, said: “The recommendation to proceed to referendum is a key milestone in the development of the Winsford Neighbourhood Plan.

“The plan sets out how Winsford has taken responsibility for its future development, outlining a vision for a sustainable and successful town where people are proud to live, work and spend their leisure time.

“The examiner's report represents a sound endorsement of the plan as a strong and robust document. My congratulations go to everyone who has contributed to its preparation.”

If the executive agrees to accept the recommendation, the council must first publish a decision statement and the reasons for that decision.

The council will then make any suggested modifications to the plan and publish a final version along with an information statement outlining details of the referendum.

The referendum date must be at least 28 clear working days after the information statement and documents relating to the Neighbourhood Plan are published.

The referendum would have a similar format to an election and all those registered to vote within the neighbourhood area will have the opportunity to have their say.

Residents will have the opportunity to vote ‘yes’ or ‘no’.

If more than 50 percent of people vote ‘yes’ then the council is required to bring the Neighbourhood Plan into force and use it to help to determine planning applications in the area.