Referendum to be held for Barton-upon-Humber Neighbourhood Plan

Residents in Barton-upon-Humber will soon have the chance to decide the future of their town by voting in a referendum on the Neighbourhood Plan.

Led by Barton Town Council with support from North Lincolnshire Council, the Barton-upon-Humber Neighbourhood Plan has been shaped by residents.

It sets out a shared vision for how the town will develop over the next 10 to 15 years – influencing decisions on housing, jobs, green spaces, community facilities and more.

Cllr David Rose, cabinet member for environment and strategy, said: “Neighbourhood Plans give residents more say on how their communities develop in the future – they are plans led by the community for the community.

“The next stage has now been reached, and the examiner’s recommendations taken on board and implemented, and a referendum will take place in the coming months, giving local people the chance to vote on whether or not they support the plan.”

Following extensive consultation earlier this year, all feedback was reviewed by an independent examiner.

Their report, received in July 2025, confirmed that with a number of modifications the plan meets legal requirements and should proceed to referendum.

The council has now published the Decision Statement and can now proceed to a referendum, which will take place on a date agreed with Barton Town Council.

Barton-upon-Humber Neighbourhood Plan focuses on seven different themes: housing and design, environment and heritage, culture and tourism, infrastructure and parking, community services, sport and leisure and business and industry.

Veronica Pettifer, chair of the Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group, said: “The Neighbourhood Plan will benefit this community by giving it the power to influence development and growth. It encourages community involvement in planning decisions and can influence the locations and types of housing as well as the protection of local green spaces.

“The Neighbourhood Plan will help to maintain the special character of Barton-upon-Humber as further growth and development take place.”

The timeline so far:

· Barton-upon-Humber parish was designated as a Neighbourhood Area in April 2020 to develop a Neighbourhood Plan.

· Following consultation by the town council, the plan was formally submitted to North Lincolnshire Council in November 2024.

· A consultation took place from 17 April to 4 June 2025 for residents and visitors of Barton-upon-Humber to share their views on the plan.

To view Barton Neighbourhood Plan and the examiner’s report, visit: www.northlincs.gov.uk/planning-and-environment/planning-policy-neighbourhood-planning/.

For more information about the Neighbourhood Plan process please email spatial.planning@northlincs.gov.uk.