THE future of a new planning strategy for Sturminster Newton is set to be determined at a referendum next month.

In November, an independent examiner gave their backing to the town council’s neighbourhood plan with a vote now the only hurdle left before it can be formally adopted.

Should it be brought in at a referendum, the document will guide development within the area and will have to be considered during the determination of planning applications.

On Monday, January 14, members of North Dorset District Council’s cabinet will be asked to give the go ahead for the referendum to be held, with a date set for February 21.

A report to the cabinet says: “The examiner’s report concludes that subject to a number of recommended modifications the plan should proceed to referendum.

“Officers have considered each recommended modification proposed and consider that they, along with some minor changes to correct errors, should be incorporated within an amended neighbourhood plan and that the amended plan should proceed to referendum.”

Should this be agreed, the council will be eligible for a £20,000 grant towards its costs incurred during the process of producing the plan.

Work on the strategy started in 2014 and, should it be adopted, it will cover the period through until 2031.