RESIDENTS will go to the polls to elect a new town councillor and vote on whether to adopt a long-awaited plan outlining how Burnham should take shape.

Burnham’s neighbourhood plan, which has been in the pipeline since 2013, went out for a six week public consultation in November.

Independent examiner Andrew Ashcroft’s proposed changes were approved by Maldon District Council in May.

A referendum will now be held on July 20 when residents will be asked to decide whether the council should adopt the plan.

An election to fill the seat vacated by former Burnham Town Councillor Una Norman will take place on the same date.

The vote on the neighbourhood plan will see residents asked “Do you want Maldon District Council to use the neighbourhood plan for Burnham-on-Crouch to help it decide planning applications in the neighbourhood area?”

The neighbourhood plan sets out how issues such as housing, infrastructure, flooding, parking and schooling should be approached.

Proposals include a new amenity space for the north of the town, expansion of education facilities, reassessing the size and setting of the station car park and improvements to roads and bus routes.

New applications to register to vote must be made by 5pm on July 4, new applications to vote by post or amend an existing postal or proxy vote should be made by 5pm on July 5.

New applications to vote by proxy should be made by 5pm on July 12.

All applications must be made to the Electoral Registration Officer at Maldon District Council in Princes Road, Maldon, by the deadlines.

The vacant town council seat follows the resignation of Mrs Norman in a row over the environment committee.

Nomination papers for the north ward seat must be submitted no later than 4pm on Friday at the main reception of Maldon District Council offices, in Princes Road, Maldon.

Forms to run can be collected by calling 01621 854477 or by emailing elections@maldon.gov.uk.

If an election for the councillor vacancy for the north ward on Burnham Town Council is contested the two elections will be combined.

The seat was left vacant following the resignation of council stalwart and deputy town mayor Una Norman in a row over the environment committee.