Chair of Sid Valley Neighbourhood Plan thanks the team and those who voted YES

After three years in the making and a hard fought campaign to generate awareness - the Sid Valley Neighbourhood plan has triumphed in yesterday's referendum.

An affirmative 90% of voters marked 'yes' to the question: "Do you want East Devon District Council to use the Neighbourhood Plan for Sid Valley (Sidmouth) to help determine planning applications in the neighbourhood area?"

Sidmouth Nub News caught up with Chair of the Sid Valley Neighbourhood Plan, Deirdre Hounsom to ask her what the result really means.

She said: "I guess the main thing to say about having a 'made' Neighbourhood Plan is that it gives another layer of protection to the Sid Valley.

"It sits alongside the local plan, but its policies refer solely to the Sid Valley - so anyone building or developing anywhere in the Valley has to take into account the relevant policies contained within the SVNP.

"Added to that, any development is now subject to a 25% Community Infrastructure Levy rather than 15% for towns without a Neighbourhood Plan.

"This money can only be spent on community assets; such as lifeguards for the beach, improved sports facilities and support for the festivals held in the town.

"If someone is proposing to build, the designs are subject to the policies in the SVNP as is the percentage of affordable housing that comprises any future developments.

"The policies also contain many environmentally friendly regulations so all-in-all a big step forward for the residents of the Sid Valley.

"On behalf of the volunteers in the Neighbourhood Plan team, who worked so hard on this project over the last three years - I would like to say a big THANK YOU!

"Not forgetting all the residents who voted YES yesterday!"