The Localism Bill originally had provision for local referendums to take place should 5% of the voting population within a local authority sign a petition demanding one. It was dropped after concerns from local authorities that the public could not be trusted enough to be responsible. The fear was that the public would consistently refuse necessary local developments such as new power stations, water treatment works, waste transfer stations etc, housing developments etc. The general public cannot be trusted with a referendum vote in most cases IMO.