LYDNEY has applied to the Forest of Dean District Council for a referendum as a route to instigating a development plan for the town.

In a letter to the district council, the town council states it intends to produce a Neighbourhood Development Plan (NDP) and hold a referendum on a Neighbourhood Development Order.

"The Localism Act, as you are aware, gives 'local' councils a leading role in neighbourhood planning in an area which includes all or part of a parished area," the council writes.

"The Act also places a legal duty on FODDC to support and advise this council accordingly and as such Lydney Town Council would now like to formally request the necessary support which will include:

•the sharing of evidence and information on local planning issues (Core Strategy, Local Plan – work completed to date on the Lydney Area Development Document (LAAP);

•advice on national and local plan policies with which the NDP or NDO will need to fit;

•Lydney Town Council also request the assistance/attendance at all future Neighbourhood Development Planning meetings of a designated Planning Officer who is fully conversant with the legalities so as to ensure it is fully compliant in all areas.

"Lydney Town Council do not believe that an Area Development Plan Document (ADPD), as suggested by FODDC at the Presentation on March 29 is a 'viable' alternative to that of seeking community engagement.

"Neighbourhoods have been empowered to come to their own views on policies which should be decided at local level (non-strategic), while contributing to meeting the needs of the wider area.

"As the current Government directive clearly shows that local authorities i.e FODDC, are required to produce ADPDs as soon as possible and goes on to state that the production of NDPs do not alter said requirement.

"Lydney Town Council believe it does provide an opportunity for FODDC and this council to work in partnership to ensure that all emerging plans compliment one another, FODDC are also in a position to advise on any Strategic Environmental Assessments etc which will have already been addressed as part of the LAAP.

"Lydney Town Council believe that all of our community should be given the opportunity to be involved in the Neighbourhood Development Plan, and that a referendum will ensure democratic legitimacy for the content of the plan.

"As the Government have committed to providing up to £50 million until March 2015 in order to ensure the success of NDPs and is also funding four support organisations to provide direct assistance to any council's undertaking NDPs/ NDOs, please can FODDC formally advise how Lydney Town Council can now access/apply for this funding in our own right in order that we may commence work on our NDP."