THE chairman of Chipping Norton Town Council is urging everyone in the town to have their say on whether the council can have a hand in controlling future developments in the area.

A referendum on whether or not to adopt the Chipping Norton Neighbourhood Plan will take place all tomorrow (Thursday) and Mike Tysoe has said it is vital residents turn up to place their vote.

The town's Neighbourhood Plan passed the examination stage at the end of 2015.

If more than 50 per cent of participants in the referendum tomorrow vote yes then West Oxfordshire District Council (WODC) will use the plan to help decide on future housing applications in the area.

Mr Tysoe said: "We are encouraging everyone in the entire town to turn out today.

"It's very important for the town to make sure we have as much control as we can for future developments.

"If we have a positive vote tomorrow, which we really hope for, then it will have huge financial benefits for the town.

"It's also to make absolutely certain that we can control what developments go on here. It's important to get that turnout."

Mr Tysoe said he is hoping for at least 500 people to turn up to vote today, and said he would be "exceptionally happy" if 1,000 people came along.

The plan has been produced by Chipping Norton Town Council and can be voted on tomorrow from 7am to 10pm in the Town Hall.

Neighbourhood plans help steer development in a particular area by setting out policy and proposals against which local planning applications will be assessed.

They must be developed, resourced and led by the town council with input from local residents and businesses.