Residents to vote on Buckhorn Weston & Kington Magna Neighbourhood Plan

Following the successful examination of the Buckhorn Weston and Kington Magna Neighbourhood Plan, Dorset Council has agreed that the plan, as amended, can go to referendum.

Residents must be registered to vote by Tuesday 4 June 2024 to vote in this referendum. The referendum will take place in the villages of Buckhorn Weston and Kington Magna on Thursday 20 June 2024, with local residents going to the polls to vote ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ to the proposals.

The plan was drawn up by local people, and agreed by their Parish Council who felt confident that the plans reflect the hopes and views of their local communities.

Neighbourhood plans were introduced in the Localism Act 2011 and aim to give residents more say in the future use of land and buildings in their area. For example, the plan can say where new homes, shops or offices might be built or where important green spaces might be protected.

If the plan is supported by the local referendum, it will be used to make decisions on planning applications.

The Buckhorn Weston and Kington Magna neighbourhood plan can be viewed online with hard copies of the supporting material on display in County Hall, Dorchester, and Gillingham Library.

How to vote in person

The Buckhorn Weston and Kington Magna Neighbourhood Plan referendum will be held on Thursday 20 June 2024. You have to be registered to vote by 4 June 2024 to vote in this referendum.

The polling stations will be open from 7am to 10pm on 20 June 2024.  

You now need photo ID to vote at a polling station. If you don't have accepted photo ID, you can apply for a free voter ID document, which is known as a Voter Authority Certificate. Applications for Voter Authority Certificates must be received by 5:00 pm Wednesday 12 June 2024.

How to vote by post or proxy

To vote by post or proxy in these referendums, you will need to fill in an application form and send it to Electoral Registration. 

Postal and proxy vote application forms are available online or by contacting the Electoral Services team by emailing elections@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk or calling 01305 838299

Applications to vote by post in the Buckhorn Weston and Kington Magna referendum must be received by 5pm on 5 June 2024. 

To vote by proxy, application forms should be received by 5pm on Wednesday 12 June 2024.

Questions regarding the neighbourhood planning process can be emailed to neighbourhoodplanning@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk or by calling 01258 484224.

Questions regarding the referendum should be emailed to elections@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk or by calling 01305 838299.