HOLMES Chapel's draft neighbourhood plan has been approved by an independent examiner.

Villagers have worked tirelessly to compile and publish the plan, which was approved by Jill Kingaby, an examiner this week.

Cheshire East Council has initiated Regulation 19 which is the formal procedure for the local authority to make a decision on the next stage of the plan’s adoption.

This decision is expected by early January 2017 when a referendum date will be announced.

It is likely this referendum date will be at the beginning of March 2017.

The neighbourhood plan steering group has initiated further meetings so that publicity of the forthcoming vote on the plan can be as detailed as soon as possible.

This will ensure all village residents know where they can find the final plan, know what they are voting for, where and when.

Brian Bath, plan team chairman, said: "It has taken a lot of work and effort by many people in the village and the comments from the examiner are most welcome.

"We have a plan to be proud of and it provides an excellent guide to how the people of the village, parish councillors, community representatives and the many volunteers see their vision for the village in the longer term.

"Referendum Day will be a critical event in the life of Holmes Chapel.

"All residents will have the opportunity to take control of the future development of the village by voting for the Holmes Chapel Neighbourhood Plan.

"The more people who vote the better and a large vote in favour of the neighbourhood plan will send out a strong message that the plan represents the will of the people of the village."

A copy of the plan and all the related documents can be viewed on the Holmes Chapel Parish Council website.

The examiner stated in her report: “The Holmes Chapel Neighbourhood Plan is a highly readable document which articulates the concerns and aspirations of the local community very well.

"In preparing the neighbourhood plan, the parish council and its working groups have collaborated with Cheshire East Council and I note the council’s complimentary remarks in its Regulation 16 consultation response which I endorse:

“The borough council congratulates the parish council on preparing a clear and comprehensive neighbourhood plan and for the way in which the plan has been prepared, closely involving the local community.

"The plan is the product of a very significant amount of hard work by volunteers and continuous engagement with the local community which has clearly shaped the content of the plan.”