A planning document which will shape future change and growth in Ashdon has been formally adopted by Uttlesford District Council.

Following a recent council meeting, the Ashdon Neighbourhood Plan will now become a statutory development document, and will be taken into account when dealing with planning applications in the area.

The decision follows a referendum held in the parish on October 20, which saw 184 residents - 88 per cent - vote in favour of the plan, with 25 voting against it.

Prior to the decision, the plan went through a period of public consultation and independent examination.

This is the seventh Neighbourhood Plan to be adopted in the district, following Great Dunmow, Thaxted, Felsted, Newport Quendon and Rickling, Stebbing and Saffron Walden.

A referendum was also held in Great and Little Chesterford on December 8 to vote on a Neighbourhood Plan for the two parishes - with 317 residents (95.2 per cent) voting in favour of the plan and 16 against.

The plan will now go to a meeting of Uttlesford District Council for formal adoption.

Proposals made in Neighbourhood Plans have to be broadly in accordance with national planning policy, and the strategic policies in the Local Plan.