VOTERS will take to the polls in the first two referendums on neighbourhood plans in the Malvern Hills district.

Referendums will be held in Kempsey and Clifton upon Teme on Thursday, October 5.

The neighbourhood plans will give residents greater influence over developments in their area.

More than 50 per cent of voters will have to support the plans for them to be approved.

Dr Chris Waller, who sits on Kempsey Parish Council, said: “[The plan] sets in stone the ‘significant gap’, which describes the strip of land between Worcester city and Kempsey parish.

“With the South Worcester Urban Extension that area is gradually being eroded and there's a fear that Worcester city and Kempsey will link up.

"The 'significant gap' in the plan will go a long way to preventing further housing development in the north of the parish."

Dr Waller added that the plan also addresses heritage areas, the type of buildings that can be built and where they can be constructed.

Cllr Maggie Newman, chairman of Clifton upon Teme parish council, said: "We had a really hard working team.

"I think it's helping the community map out their future.

"It's not just planning... [it's] facilities, infrastructure, green spaces, it's the whole package."

Cllr Melanie Baker, who is responsible for sustainable development and infrastructure on Malvern Hills District Council, said: “These plans are the first in the district to reach the referendum stage and it is a huge feather in the cap for everyone involved.

“Neighbourhood plans give our communities greater influence and control over how the place where they live is developed in future.

“There are a number of other communities across the district also developing neighbourhood plans and we look forward to putting them to a public vote at the earliest possible opportunity.”

A Malvern Hills District Council spokesman said the plans are a part of the Government’s localism agenda.

It is hoped the plans will boost local influence over the location of new homes, shops, offices and the design of developments.