Roman Road Bow Neighbourhood Planning Referendum
Following a recommendation from the independent examiner, the council agreed on 1 August 2022 to hold a referendum on the Roman Road Bow Neighbourhood Plan. This is in line with the Town and Country Planning Act.
It will ask local residents if they want to use the Roman Road Bow Neighbourhood Plan when deciding planning applications in the area.
For more details on the planning process please visit the Roman Road page.
The referendum will ask the following question:
Do you want Tower Hamlets Borough Council to use the neighbourhood plan for Roman Road Bow to help it decide planning applications in the neighbourhood area?
Why is the referendum being held?
The Localism Act 2011 introduced new powers for people to have more say in the development of their local areas through neighbourhood planning.
A core principle of neighbourhood planning is that a referendum may be called at the end of the process. This will give communities the chance to have the final say on whether a neighbourhood development plan or order can come into force. These will affect decisions on new development proposals in the area.
The referendum will take place on Thursday 13 October 2022.
If passed, the neighbourhood plan will be a statutory part of the local development plan. It will carry full weight in relevant planning decisions.
The Roman Road Bow Neighbourhood Forum was designated by the council on 16 August 2017 and produced the Roman Road Bow Neighbourhood Plan.
Two rounds of public consultation were held before it was submitted for independent examination.
The independent examiner of the plan recommended it should go to a referendum. The council accepted the recommendation.
What options will be available?
The eligible electorate (those registered to vote at local elections), in the neighbourhood plan area will be asked whether they want the Roman Road Bow Neighbourhood Plan to be used to help decide planning applications.
Which area of the borough can vote?
Those eligible and registered local government electors who live in the area as set out in the neighbourhood plan can vote.
The area can be seen on the map. You can also check our interactive map for more information.
What happens if the referendum is passed?
If the referendum is passed, the council must adopt the neighbourhood plan.
This will take place at the next possible Full Council meeting.
The result of the referendum is binding.
What happens if the referendum is not passed?
If the referendum is not passed, the neighbourhood plan will be withdrawn and have no further weight in the planning process.
The referendum details
The poll for the referendum will take place on Thursday 13 October 2022 between the hours of 7am and 10pm.
Anyone who lives within the boundaries of the Neighbourhood Planning Area and is eligible to vote in local elections can vote in the referendum.