Coulby Newham neighbourhood plan approved despite low turnout

In total, 637 votes were counted, of which over two thirds were postal votes. In a ward where more than 6,000 people had the opportunity to vote, only 205 attended a polling station on the day.

Two ballot papers were rejected, with 134 residents voting against the proposal and the remaining 501 agreeing to the neighbourhood plan being used to help determine planning applications in the area.

As previously reported, under existing legislation, parish councils and “designated neighbourhood forums” can prepare neighbourhood plans, which can have an impact on planning policies and therefore development of the land.

Now approved, the neighbourhood plan will play a part when it comes to determining the future of the ward, with specific considerations including parks and green spaces, heritage assets, and public transport.

Coulby Newham becomes the third ward to have a neighbourhood plan – following a referendum – joining Marton West and Stainton & Thornton.

Four years after Stainton’s neighbourhood plan was approved, Conservative ward Councillor David Coupe thinks that it has had a positive impact and believes more widely that neighbourhood plans are “worth doing” because “without it, you [residents] have no say”.

While nearly 80% of those who voted in Coulby backed the neighbourhood plan, as a percentage this was significantly lower than in either Marton West or Stainton & Thornton.

In Stainton, more than 95% of voters backed the neighbourhood plan in 2022. Turnout was also lower in Coulby Newham than the other wards.

Held in a quiet Mandela Room at Middlesbrough Town Hall in the late evening of Thursday, March 19., none of the Coulby Newham ward councillors were in attendance at the count.

Labour Mayor Chris Cooke described the result as “great” news, adding that Coulby Newham ward Councillor David Branson (Lab) had worked “tirelessly” to get to this point.

When asked if neighbourhood plans are ‘pointless’, Mayor Cooke said: “Of course not, it’s important that we engage in the democratic process and make sure that residents feel listened to.”