People in Sprowston are being urged not to miss their chance to influence how the area develops over the next 15 years.

Residents will go to the polls on March 20 in a referendum on the area's Neighbourhood Plan, which sets out how the area aims to retain its character in the face of development.

If accepted it means the document, designed with the input of people in Sprowston, will have to be referred to in major planning decisions made by Broadland District Council – and heeded by developers looking to build.

Sprowston town clerk June Hunt said: 'This plan contains policies that will maintain and improve the quality of life for people living and working in Sprowston. It has been developed directly in response to what our residents told us such as providing new youth and community facilities, reducing speed on the Wroxham Road, improving green spaces and developing brownfield sites for housing.'

With 3,500 homes already slated for land between Sprowston and Old Catton, the area is set for huge changes in the next 15 years, as it falls within the growth triangle identified by the Joint Core Strategy.

The Neighbourhood Plan is the product of two years' work, and was recently approved by a planning inspector, who noted that 'a great amount of care, commitment and effort' had gone into the document.

Hard copies of the plan can be seen at the Diamond Centre, Broadland District Council or Sprowston Library, and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/sprowstonneighbourhoodplan

The referendum takes place on Thursday, March 20. If more than 50% vote in favour, the plan will be adopted.

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