WINSFORD residents will go to the polls to make one of the most important decisions in the town’s recent history this autumn.

The independent examination into Winsford’s Neighbourhood Plan (NP) this week gave the green light for residents to vote whether to adopt the document.

More than two years in the making, Winsford’s NP sets out preferred locations to accommodate 3,500 new houses and 35 hectares of employment land to be built under borough council Local Plan targets before 2030.

If adopted, the NP will grant extra protection for many of the town’s green spaces and ward off speculative housing developments in areas not earmarked for use.

The examination was led by legal barrister, Dr Charles Mynors, who concluded: “The Winsford Plan sets out a positive vision for the future of Winsford and will provide a practical basis within which decisions on planning applications can be made with a high degree of predictability and efficiency.”

Responding to some residents’ criticisms of the plan’s housing allocations and degree of consultation, Dr Mynors said: “I recognise the concerns of some local people as to the nature of the consultation exercise conducted in the course of preparing this plan, but I am satisfied, on balance, that the statutory requirements have been complied with.”

Chair of the Winsford Neighbourhood Plan steering committee, clr Brian Clarke, said: “I welcome the independent eye that Dr Mynors was able to cast over the Neighbourhood Plan and am delighted with his recommendations.

“The people of Winsford will now have a real opportunity to shape the future of our town and I really hope they take that opportunity in the referendum by voting for the plan.”

The plan will now be considered by Cheshire West and Chester Council’s executive in early September ahead of the referendum, likely to be held in late October.

The Independent Examiners report can be downloaded from the Town Council’s website winsford.gov.uk