Agenda and draft minutes

The minutes of the previous meeting were deferred to allow consideration of the corrected statement from public speaker Thomas Shillitoe.

Guidance is available online to Councillors and co-opted members on making declarations of interest

60. East Devon Local Plan – Progress Update Report.

In accordance with the Code of Good Practice for Councillors and Officers dealing with planning matters as set out in the Constitution, Councillors Brian Bailey, Charlotte FitzGerald, Geoff Jung and Dan Ledger, advised lobbying in relation to Exmo_20.

60. East Devon Local Plan - Progress Update Report.

Councillor Jessica Bailey, Affects Non-registerable Interest, Devon County Councillor - Otter Valley Division.

60. East Devon Local Plan - Progress Update Report.

Councillor Paul Hayward, Affects Non-registerable Interest, Devon County Councillor - Axminster Division.

61. Heritage Strategy 2024-2042.

Councillor Jessica Bailey, Affects Non-registerable Interest, Devon County Councillor - Otter Valley Division.

61. Heritage Strategy 2024-2042.

Councillor Paul Hayward, Affects Non-registerable Interest, Devon County Councillor - Axminster Division.

62. Self-Build and Custom House-Building Update and Monitoring Report for 2024 - 2025.

Councillor Jessica Bailey, Affects Non-registerable Interest, Devon County Councillor - Otter Valley Division.

62. Self-Build and Custom House-Building Update and Monitoring Report for 2024 - 2025.

Councillor Paul Hayward, Affects Non-registerable Interest, Devon County Councillor - Axminster Division.

Information on public speaking is available online

Nigel Humphrey addressed the Committee in relation to the draft Local Plan, reminding Members that, despite over 60 meetings and public discussions, the inconsistencies surrounding site allocation Exmo_20, remained unresolved.  In particular, he highlighted the ongoing issue of the proposed restriction on development within 400 metres of the Pebblebed Heaths

He stated that residents are now being advised to raise their concerns at the Planning Inspector’s hearing, and that this would be followed by further representations being required at the planning application stage.  Mr Humphrey also referred to a Freedom of Information request which revealed that Devon County Council had provided East Devon District Council with forecasts of vehicle flows on roads around the Pebblebed Heaths.  These forecasts indicated a daily increase of over 2,500 vehicles on the B3179, and he suggested the majority of the increase was attributed to Exmo_20, based on the assumption that the primary access would be from this road.  Mr Humprhey urged the Committee to reconsider its decision to include Exmo_20 in the draft Local Plan.

Nicola Wright addressed the Committee regarding the proposed development at Hayle Farm, which is accessed via the busy A35 trunk road and is located close to the listed Copper Castle and toll gates. She raised concerns that the development would have a harmful environmental impact, permanently damaging a valued landscape.

Ms Wright explained that the site lies on a steep slope, with a stream below flowing into the River Otter, which she stated has dangerously high bacteria levels. She noted that sections of the river have been classified by the Environment Agency as having poor ecological status, with elevated phosphate levels. She also referred to an article in the Herald Express reporting that councillors had unanimously blocked new housing developments until sewage concerns were resolved and the capacity of existing infrastructure had been assessed.

Ms Wright urged the Council to give careful consideration to any development on this site and the potential impact on Honiton, its residents, and its wildlife.

John Hamill addressed the Committee regarding the extended timeframe for completion of the draft Local Plan, which he described as both an opportunity and a risk.  He noted that while it allowed additional time to finalise the essential supporting documents, he warned that the delay could encourage opportunistic development, referring to reports of residents near the Exmo_20 site being approached by a developer.

Mr Hamill urged the Committee to comply with the Gunning principles, which set the legal standards for fair and lawful public consultation, particularly the requirement that consultation responses be given conscientious consideration before decisions are made.  He highlighted that nearly 2,800 comments were submitted in relation to Exmo_20, raising significant legal, environmental, and deliverability concerns, but stated these had been reduced by AI into generic bullet points.

He further referred to the 8 key pieces of outstanding work, including fundamental assessments, and emphasised that these must be completed and properly consulted on. Mr Hamill concluded by urging the Committee to insist on a third consultation in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 57.

Information on matters of urgency is available online

There were none.

To agree any items to be dealt with after the public (including the Press) have been excluded. Thereare no itemswhich officersrecommendshould be dealtwithin thisway.

There were none.

This report provides an update on progress of the East Devon Local Plan.

The Assistant Director – Planning Strategy and Development Services presented a progress update on the East Devon Local Plan.  Members were advised that, although approval for submission to examination had originally been anticipated at this meeting, this could not be achieved to a number of outstanding supporting documents.  In light of the transitional arrangements within the current plan-making system, it was therefore proposed that submission of the Plan be deferred until later in the year.  Members were further informed that work is continuing with the Council’s consultants to resolve the outstanding issues relating to evidence and assessment documentation.

The Committee noted that the report included feedback from the second stage of the Regulation 19 consultation. Paragraph 3 provided summaries of the key findings, which largely reflected comments received at earlier stages of the consultation.

The Committee also noted a number of minor amendments required to the feedback report, including the correction of typographical errors, an amendment to the AI declaration on page 11 to reflect the correct consultation period of February to April 2026, and a correction to the appendix header, which incorrectly referred to Stage 1 Consultation rather than Stage 2.  These updates will be made prior to publication on the Council’s website. 

In response to a comment made by a public speaker, the Assistant Director – Planning Strategy and Development Services clarified, for the public record, that while AI had been used to assist in summarising consultation responses, all responses had been read and considered by officers in full.

On-going evidence and assessment work included:

Ø  Transport work around West End and Marlcombe

Ø  Marlcombe viability testing

Ø  Playing pitch and outdoor sports strategy

Ø  Air quality impact at the Pebblebed Heaths

Ø  River Axe nutrient mitigation strategy

Ø  Water Cycle Study

Ø  Habitat Regulations Assessment

Questions and points raised included:

·         It was suggested that the Plan would be likely to exclude local people due to the unaffordability of housing in East Devon.

·         Non-Committee Member Councillor Roy Collins questioned the democratic progress relating to site allocation Honi_18 expressing concern that the public and town council had not been given an adequate opportunity to fully engage in consultation and consideration of the allocation.

·         A Member requested that consideration be given to returning to a monthly meeting cycle suggesting that more frequent meetings with more manageable agendas would improve oversight and help members better track progress.

·         Could officers advise when the viability work will be available in relation to the road network at Marlcombe?  In response it was advised that further work is ongoing in relation to Marlcombe and is currently in draft stage, with officers reviewing the consultants work and when finalised will be published on the Council’s website.  It was confirmed that the main parties involved are the Council, Devon County Council and National Highways with each organisation supported by its own consultant teams.

·         A Member responded to earlier comments regarding incomers and housing, noting that properties purchased by newcomers had been willingly sold by existing residents and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 60.

The Committee received a report on the consultation feedback on the Heritage Strategy undertaken between 28 November 2025 and 26 January 2026, noting that the amendments arising from the consultation were set out in Appendix A with a tracked-changes version included at Appendix B.

The updates included minor factual and grammatical corrections, revised case studies and data, and additional clarity on heritage-related organisations, legislation and guidance.  It was noted that the Strategy provides a comprehensive overview of East Devon’s heritage, identifying key issues and opportunities, and supports the heritage policies of the emerging Local Plan.

Comments included:

·         Portfolio Holder Culture, Leisure, Sport and Tourism, Councillor Nick Hookway, expressed strong support for the Heritage Strategy, with particular emphasis on the sections relating to the World Heritage Site.  He highlighted that the site is a significant attraction that has historically been under-promoted and stressed the importance of recognising the site’s vulnerability to climate change and coastal erosion.  He emphasised the important role the Strategy plays in protecting the World Heritage Site, providing reassurance to the public, and local businesses and urged the Committee to support the recommendations.

·         Disappointment was expressed regarding the limited reference to agricultural heritage within the Strategy.

·         It was noted that the Norman Lockyear Observatory was not recognised as a heritage asset.

·         Some Members commented positively on the report, noting it was both helpful and informative.

·         It was highlighted that there is often limited understanding among owners and tradespeople about the legal responsibilities associated with listed buildings.  Concern was expressed that unauthorised works can cause irreversible harm and asked what further steps the Council could take to better educate prospective purchasers and owners of listed buildings about their duties and obligations.  In response the Chair commented that solicitors should be responsible for explaining the obligations at the point of purchase but acknowledged in practice this may not be sufficiently communicated and suggested that engaging with conveyancing solicitors could be an effective way to improve understanding and education among prospective purchasers of listed buildings.

·         A Member requested that Axminster be included in the list of towns in East Devon that have a designated Conservation Area.

RESOLVED:

1.    That the updated second Heritage Strategy (2024 – 2042) be adopted in support of the Council’s duty towards the historic environment.

2.    The Committee noted that the Heritage Strategy supports the Local Plan as evidence for policies.

3.    That it be noted the Strategy should be taken into account as a guide for our Cultural, Tourism and Planning functions, amongst others.

This report sets out the new method used by officers to ‘count’ the supply of self-build plots following the introduction of of new legislation that took effect from the start of 2024.

The Committee noted that the Custom and Self?Build (CSB) monitoring figures were last considered by the Strategic Planning Committee in February 2025, at which time officers outlined a revised methodology for counting CSB plots following legislative changes introduced in early 2024. Under the new approach, only plots with clear evidence of custom or self?build delivery are counted.

The latest monitoring shows that the Council continues to meet its statutory obligations to provide sufficient CSB plots to match demand on the register. A total of 18 plots were delivered in 2024–25, an increase from 15 plots in 2023–24. However, this modest increase remains consistent with a longer?term trend of lower CSB delivery. It was noted that, in light of strong national policy support for custom and self?build housing, further action may be required to increase the supply of CSB opportunities.

A question was raised as to whether the existence of the register was widely known to the public.  In response the Assistant Director – Planning Strategy and Development Services advised that all local authorities in the country are required to maintain a self-build register and that anyone researching self-build opportunities would therefore expect such a register to be in place.  A simple google search will find the register on the Council’s website.

RESOLVED:

1.    That the draft monitoring report for use in planning decisions (both planning policy and development management) be endorsed and its publication be agreed on the Council’s website.

2.    The Committee noted that the latest monitoring period (31/10/24 – 30/10/25) 8 individuals were added to the self-build register (6 to part 1 and 2 to part 2) generating a need to permission 6 plots suitable for self-build between 31/10/25 – 30/10/28.

3.    The Committee noted that the demand for self-build plots indicated on the register should be taken into account in our planning, housing, regeneration and estate functions.