Uppingham Residents to Vote on Future Development in Crucial Neighbourhood Plan Referendum

Uppingham Residents to Vote on Future Development in Crucial Neighbourhood Plan Referendum

Uppingham, Rutland – A significant decision for the future of Uppingham's development rests in the hands of its residents, as an official Notice of Referendum has been published for the adoption of the Uppingham Neighbourhood Plan. The referendum, set for Thursday, 24 July 2025, will ask voters a crucial question: ‘Do you want Rutland County Council to use the neighbourhood plan for the Parish of Uppingham to help it decide planning applications in the neighbourhood area?’

This upcoming vote is a direct result of the Localism Act 2011, which empowers local communities to play a direct role in shaping the development within their areas through Neighbourhood Planning. The Uppingham Neighbourhood Plan, if approved, will become a vital document used by Rutland County Council when making decisions on planning applications, ensuring that future growth aligns with the community's vision.

For those eager to understand the specifics of the plan, full details are available online at www.rutland.gov.uk/neighbourhoodplans. Additionally, residents with questions or seeking further clarification are encouraged to contact the Uppingham Neighbourhood Planning Advisory Group via email at townclerk@uppinghamtowncouncil.co.uk. More information can also be found on the Uppingham Town Council's website: www.uppinghamtowncouncil.gov.uk/neighbourhood-plan.

The outcome of the referendum hinges on local participation. For the Neighbourhood Plan to be adopted and brought into force, more than 50% of the votes cast must be in its favour. Should the plan receive the necessary support, Rutland County Council, as the Local Planning Authority, is then obligated to formally adopt it within eight weeks of the referendum date.

Residents who are not yet registered to vote are urged to do so before the deadline of midnight on Tuesday, 8 July 2025. Information on how to register can be found at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote.

Further details regarding the referendum itself, including important procedural information, are available in the full Notice of Referendum, published online at www.rutland.gov.uk/elections.

It is important to note that polling stations on the day of the referendum will not have physical copies of the Neighbourhood Plan, and polling staff will not be able to answer questions regarding its proposals. Therefore, residents are strongly encouraged to familiarise themselves with the plan beforehand through the provided online resources.

This referendum represents a pivotal moment for Uppingham, offering its community a direct say in how their local area develops in the years to come. Residents are encouraged to inform themselves and exercise their democratic right on July 24th.