A huge thank you to everyone who took part in the Referendum
To recap. Votes cast on 28 September 2023:
YES: 2221
NO: 225
We now look forward to the adoption of Ware's Neighbourhood Plan by East Herts District Council at the earliest opportunity.
There's a press release here from Ware Town Council, including some kind words from Mayor Thomas Day.
EHDC will review the Plan again at an executive committee meeting on 28 November with a view to formal adoption at a full Council meeting on 13 December.
Again, to all of you who've made this possible... thank you.
REFERENDUM
Thursday 28th September
We're unashamedly hoping to persuade you to Vote
YES
Polling Stations will be open from 7am to 10pm on Thursday 28th. Can we count on you?
And please remember: the plan covers the existing town, NOT the Ware N&E development. Voting for the Neighbourhood Plan is NOT a vote for the new development.
It's a vote YES for the future of the existing town.
You can access a pdf of the Plan in the panel below. We're obviously not expecting you to read and memorise every single one of its 122 pages. But we'd love you to take a look.
And check out our eminently accessible summary of the Plan in bite-sized chunks too...
A People's Charter
We're almost there. Producing a Neighbourhood Plan is vitally important for the future health, well-being and prosperity of our town - and we believe this is destined to be one of the most important civic documents produced in Ware's 2000+ year history. It effectively lays down a planning template for the future development of the town.
Want to find out more about why Neighbourhood Plans are important? Check out this video...
There's more detail about Neighbourhood Plans and how they work via the "About" tab on the main menu.
Will you help us make this happen?
Ware’s Neighbourhood Plan is designed to:
• Protect the town we love • Protect our open spaces • Protect our Heritage buildings
• Support our shops and businesses.
The Plan has been put together during the last three years by a team of Ware people, supported by our Town Council. Hundreds of Ware residents have contributed their thoughts and ideas. It strengthens planning controls on developments in Ware. Paper copies can be seen at The Priory, Ware Library and Ware Museum
"At the heart of the draft Plan, there’s a recognition that it must help position Ware as a thriving 21st century market town centre by supporting a sustainable mix of uses, which will encourage footfall throughout the day and into the evening... Mixed-use development proposals will normally be supported..."
"Our transport policies seek to enhance walking and cycling along the routes most likely to effect a shift away from the private car for short journeys in and around Ware... Proposals to improve the flow of traffic and pedestrian safety on key roads in the Neighbourhood Plan area will be strongly supported..."
