Westmorland and Furness Council are expected to issue a notice of referendum later this month ahead of a referendum campaign period on the Penrith Neighbourhood Plan.
Following questions put to Westmorland and Furness Council on the upcoming Penrith Neighbourhood Plan referendum due to take place on the 28th of November.
The council have confirmed that business in Penrith will not get a vote in a separate Business referendum on the Penrith Neighbourhood Plan.
Westmorland and Furness Council have today informed the Evolve Penrith group they have announced in a statement on social media “that a separate business referendum will not take place despite Penrith having two designated businesses areas covered by the Business improvement districts.”
The council said that “the referendum will proceed as a single vote open to eligible residents within the designated neighbourhood area”
Evolve Penrith said “This means businesses in the town are being denied any say on the planning policy that will impact the town and their businesses if adopted.”
Neighbourhood Planning legislation make provision for the conduct of an additional “business referendums”. These additional referendums are required for a neighbourhood area which has been designated as a Business Area and are in addition to the residential referendum for the area.
Referendum held in other parts of the UK that have included dual referendum giving both residents and businesses a say on the adopting of the plan.
Evolve Penrith said it intends to communicate with the town's two business improvement districts over the situation and directly with business in Penrith.
The group has also announced it intends to campaign for a No vote in the November referendum claiming the Neigbourhood plan is “outdated due to length of time it has taken” and that the that the “plan delivers no material benefits for Penrith”.
Penrith Town Council’s planning committee at a meeting on Monday evening, voted note the referendum date set by Westmorland and Furness Council and the changes including the removal of Beacon Hill from the green space protection policy.
Councillors also voted to agree to the town council paying the costs to create and send by direct post a flyer to every household in Penrith on the Neigbourhood plan before the referendum and agreed to the Town council holding workshop events and Q&A sessions ahead of the referendum on Thursday the 28th November.
The Referendum will be conducted in accordance with procedures which are similar to those used in local government elections meaning voters will be able to register for a postal vote or vote on the day at polling stations in Penrith but will require voter ID that resulted in Penrith voters being turned away from polling stations in the July General Election due to not having the required Id.
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