A NEW policy from Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council will mean villagers living in Bramley can have more confidence when it comes to new developments.

At the full council meeting held on March 30 the new Bramley Neighbourhood Plan was passed by councillors.

The Neighbourhood Plan will now coincide with the borough council’s recently adopted local plan, to give residents a clear outline of how much development could potentially be built in the parish.

This is this third plan which councillors have approved and it is something which cabinet member for planning and infrastructure, Cllr Mark Ruffell, hopes other villages will adopt.

He said: “That is why these plans are so important that we put this work into action and give villagers more understanding of the development which is being proposed.”

The referendum on the plan had one of the highest turnouts in the borough with 33 per cent of people voting and 95.8 per cent in favour of the plans.

Bramley and Sherfield ward councillor, Cllr Nick Robinson, welcomed the agreed neighbourhood plan.

He said: “This proves if something works for Bramley and development will be keeping with the success of the village our residents can have more of a say on it.

“We need to make sure our residents have the best quality of life available and that we learn from our past mistakes.”

Fellow ward councillor, Cllr Venetia Rowland, added: “With the local plan in place we have been able to decide the credibility of a development and we can make sure we have solid plans for the village going forward.”

With the neighbourhood plan agreed it enables villagers to have a greater say in the future of their areas, as well as opening up opportunities for employment and infrastructure.