Two Shotley peninsula villages have taken a huge step towards having their respective Neighbourhood Plans legally adopted.

Stutton and Wherstead villagers turned out to vote either 'yes' or 'no' to the question, with both returning a huge majority in favour of the question:

"Do you want Babergh District Council to use the Neighbourhood Plan for Stutton to help it decide planning applications in the neighbourhood area?"

In Stutton 278 people voted in favour, with just 10 against. There was a 37.19% turnout with 289 ballot papers filled in, from an electorate of 777.

In Wherstead, only one person voted against, while 83 voted in favour, making it a 98.81% majority.

The turnout was 27.72% with 84 ballot papers issued from an electorate of 303 parishioners.

The results mean Babergh District Council as the local planning authority must bring it into force.

An adopted Neighbourhood Plan carries real legal weight and ensures planning decision-makers will be obliged, by law, to take what it says into consideration when determining proposals for development.

It also increased the neighbourhood CIL payment paid to the parish council increases from 15% to 25% of contributions.