Have your say on East Devon’s future in new Local Plan consultation

Everyone who lives and works in East Devon is urged to share their thoughts on eight new topics for the Local Plan, the document used to make planning decisions for future developments.

These topics include conserving the natural environment and ensuring retail, leisure, and community spaces reflect residents’ and visitors’ needs. Additional housing and employment sites have been submitted for consideration since East Devon District Council’s (EDDC) previous Local Plan consultation in early 2023.

Councillor Todd Olive, EDDC’s Portfolio Holder for Strategic Planning, said: "This consultation is seeking your views on crucial elements of our planning strategy, which will affect what development in East Devon looks like for years to come. We want to hear what you think about how we protect East Devon's towns and villages from loss of identity, conserve the character of our beautiful coast, and ensure our high streets stay strong at the heart of our communities.

Whether you live close to areas proposed for growth or not, the new Local Plan will affect you. This is your chance to help shape it. Please use it."

Share your thoughts online at https://eastdevon.gov.uk/local-plan before the deadline of 5pm on Thursday, 27 June 2024.

Some minor changes are proposed to areas of land which would be protected from certain forms of development and how this can be balanced with meeting the need for new housing. This includes Green Wedges, which maintain the separation between towns and villages that are located close together, helping them retain their individual identity. A revised Coastal Preservation Area boundary also seeks to protect the natural coastline from inappropriate development.

Comments are wanted on the Clyst Valley Regional Park’s boundaries, a project delivering natural spaces with a network of walking and cycling routes linking new developments, such as Cranbrook, with surrounding villages and Exeter.

The consultation also seeks views on some technical matters around how housing numbers are addressed in neighbourhood plans produced by East Devon’s communities.

Consultation feedback will help inform and refine the Local Plan as it progresses to a final draft, which EDDC hopes to consult on towards the end of 2024. It will then be subject to a public examination by a government-appointed planning inspector.