RESIDENTS in a North Oxfordshire village have voted overwhelmingly in favour of a new Neighbourhood Plan to give them control over future developments.

On Thursday, November 3 people in Bloxham took to polling stations to answer to the question 'Do you want Cherwell District Council to use the Neighbourhood Plan for Bloxham to help it decide planning applications in the Neighbourhood area?'.

The plan was written up over several months and identifies goals Bloxham residents would like to realise, including delivering the houses that the village needs, protecting and enhancing the village's rural heritage, promoting 'economic vitality' and ensuring a safe, healthy and cohesive community.

A total of 32.4 per cent of the Bodicote electorate took part in the vote, with 877 voting 'yes' and just 26 voting 'no'.

The plan will now be used by Cherwell when it determines planning applications in the parish.

Councillor Colin Clarke, Cherwell's lead member for planning, said: "This was a very important decision for the people of Bloxham and I am pleased that voters have spoken with a unified voice. They will soon be able to play a bigger part in deciding how to safeguard their heritage and how to deliver housing in future."