Building enough houses to make sure everyone in our area has the chance for a roof of their own, while also making sure we protect and enhance our rural landscape and way of community life is often a difficult balance.

That’s why I’ve long been a strong advocate of Localism and the importance of giving local communities and councils a greater say in how they grow and develop in the years to come – and why, throughout my time as local MP, I’ve supported many Mid Norfolk towns and villages as they go about developing their own Neighbourhood Plans.

Over the years, I have actively supported and encouraged Watton Town Council and the Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group as they have set about developing their own Neighbourhood Plan (meeting with members and attending the first public events way back in 2017 as I helped get the efforts underway – see here).

I am therefore delighted that the final draft Plan (the product of countless hours of hard work by the Steering Group, as well as considerable consultation feedback from local residents, businesses and other key community stakeholders) is now going to Referendum on Thursday 18th January 2024.

If YOU are based in Watton, please do take the time to have your say. The Referendum is a key part of the Neighbourhood Plan process and it’s vital local residents take the time to go along, vote and ensure their views are heard.

The Plan can be viewed in full on the Breckland website here (and below by clicking on the image).

An Open Day is also being held at the Charlotte Harvey Trust on Saturday 13th January 2024 between 11am-4pm so that the community can meet with the Steering Group and ask questions.

I very much look forward to hearing the Referendum’s outcome. In the meantime, to stay up to date with all of my work on ‘Planning and Protecting Our Rural Landscapes and Heritage’, please visit my website here.