A PLAN setting out how Petersfield will grow until 2028 has been approved by a large majority of residents who voted on its adoption.

The Petersfield Neighbourhood Plan will now be used to guide planning decisions in the town, and shape its future over the next 15 years.

In last Thursday’s referendum, residents were asked: ‘Do you want the South Downs National Park Authority to use the neighbourhood plan for Petersfield to help decide planning applications in the neighbourhood area.’

Of the town’s 10,200 registered voters, 26 per cent voted, with 2,258 saying yes, and 455 no. The national park authority will now adopt the plan in January.

Director of planning for the authority Tim Slaney said: “A huge amount of work has gone into producing this plan and we want to say thank you to everyone involved. This is a great achievement for the team and Petersfield.

“This is a big step forward for localism and planning as planning decisions should be in line with the conditions laid out by the local community through this plan.”

Petersfield town councillor and plan steering group member Jamie Matthews said: “We are really pleased with the result, and it was great it was adopted with such a large majority.

“The steering group would like to thank everyone who has been involved in any way in the three years it has taken to reach this point.”

The next step is the forming of a town development committee to ensure the plan is used to maximum effect for the benefit of Petersfield.

Cllr Matthews said: “Although this will be a town council project, people who aren’t councillors will be able sit on the committee.”

As well as setting out where a minimum of 700 houses should be built in Petersfield, the plan lays out a vision for the future of other town issues such as tourism and local transport.

East Hampshire District Council portfolio holder for planning Cllr Angela Glass said: “I am delighted to see the people of Petersfield have approved the plan.

“A cogent, coherent plan is essential if we and the national park are to manage the growth and development of the town responsibly and sustainably over the coming years.”