Agenda and draft minutes

Minutes of previous meetings held on 5 March and 12 March 2024.

The minutes of the Strategic Planning Committee meetings held on 5 March and 12 March 2024 were confirmed as a true record.

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

There were no declarations of interest.

Information on public speaking is available online

There were no members of the public that wished to speak.

Information on matters of urgency is available online

There were no matters of urgency.

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 no confidential or exempt items.

The report provides commentary around the options for exploring a Green Belt designation in the West End highlighting that, from officer review, it would be inappropriate to seek to pursue the option of Green Belt designation.

The report presented by the Assistant Director – Planning Strategy and Development Management was before the committee to set out some historical background and Government policy on Green Belts and to highlight some challenges involved in seeking to pursue a Green Belt designation.

The key issues highlighted would include a high level of work to gather the level of evidence needed to support a Green Belt Designation and the need to work in conjunction with Exeter City Council, Teignbridge District Council and Mid Devon District Council to help make a genuine case for a Green Belt.  As a result, Members were advised a Green Belt designation could not be done for this Local Plan but if Members wished it could be pursued for a later Local Plan.

During discussion Members acknowledged that although a Green Belt designation was too late for this Local Plan they were keen for officers to explore this issue when considering the next Local Plan.

Discussion on the report included:

·        Clarification was sought on the progress of the Green Wedges and a concern was raised about the delay in the Local Plan timetable.  The Assistant Director – Planning Strategy and Development Management advised that a report would be brought to committee after it was discussed at the newly formed Local Plan Working Group next week together with an update report on the timetable.

·        Would a Green Wedge be considered if a Green Belt was not possible?

·        It was suggested that the lessons learnt from Green Belts could be used to strengthen Green Wedges, Coastal Protection Areas and the Clyst Valley Regional Park.

·        Green Belts do not need to go all around an area they could be smaller areas of land between two communities.

·        A Green Belt is a lot more permanent than a Green Wedge.

·        Although it would be good to consult with neighbouring Local Authorities we do not need to do this.

·        It was questioned whether informal conversations with neighbouring authorities about pursuing a joint approach to a Green Belt could take place now.  The Assistant Director – Planning Strategy and Development Management advised if Members were happy he would raise this with officers at the neighbouring authorities.

·        Reference was made to paragraph 4.2 in the report and the need to plan for climate mitigations now.  This cannot be left for another few years.

·        It was suggested that the current leadership should start preparing the groundwork for a Green Belt designation now so that after this Local Plan has been approved we can start on the Green Belt immediately. 

·        It was suggested the report was very one sided in its evaluation.

·        As there is a need to protect our countryside so there is no justification to hold back and do nothing.

·        The green space that sits between East Devon and East of Exeter needs to be looked at in more detail as it won’t be long before the two are indistinguishable.

The Assistant Director – Planning Strategy and Development Management acknowledged Members comments about the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 91.

The report sets out a proposed response by this Council to Devon County Council’s consultation.

The Committee considered and discussed the report presented by the Assistant Director – Planning Strategy and Development Management setting out a proposed response to the Clyst Valley and New Communities Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP).

The aim of the consultation was to identify walking and cycling improvements to the West End of the district extending to Woodbury, Broadclyst and Whimple and to compliment any existing LCWIP’s.

The Assistant Director – Planning Strategy and Development Management referred to figure 2 in the report that gave an overview of the cycle route recommendations and how these would link into the Clyst Valley Trail, Killerton and Broadclyst, Cranbrook and the new community.  Members were reminded that following the meeting on 5 December where Strategic Planning Committee Members resolved that option 1 would be the council’s preferred approach for a new community, this would now be the basis that the council would be recommending that the LCWIP is reviewed to reflect option 1 only.

It was highlighted to Members that a lot of the focus was on the east/west movement in and out the city and it was important to comment that there is a need to link more communities in East Devon, including the new community, Woodbury, Woodbury Salterton, Clyst St Mary and Clyst St George.

Members were invited to submit their own individual comments on the consultation before the 7 April 2024 deadline.

Discussion on the LCWIP included:

·        Clarification was sought about the cycleway between Whimple and Cranbrook along the railway line.

·        It was hoped that the cycleways would be kept clear and tidy.

·        The Chair highlighted an email response from a Broadclyst resident wanting Broadclyst adding to a sentence on page 34 and to add a further sentence to provide a safe and secure cycleway between Broadclyst and Westclyst for the children at Clyst Vale Community College.  The Assistant Director – Planning Strategy and Development Management advised this was already part of the proposals.

·        Pleased to be having these discussions as walking and cycling are important to the health and wellbeing of society.  Need to encourage people to keep active.

·        Could a comment be included about clearing away hedge debris after they have been flayed as this makes it dangerous for cyclists.  Perhaps DCC could introduce a new policy?

·        Maps are difficult to understand.

·        Clyst St Mary and Clyst St George are dangerous to cycle and walk around and the Clyst Valley Trail is in the wrong place.  A suggestion was made to add a strongly worded comment about forcing danger on cyclists, pedestrians and car users as DCC are proposing the wrong solution for Bishops Clyst.  It was suggested to remove the gold line from Bishops Clyst down to Clyst St George and the pink line to be uprated as this is the offroad solution.  The Assistant Director – Planning Strategy and Development Management acknowledged the points made and advised the concerns would be flagged from a safety perspective.

·        A suggestion for a park and change so cycling  ...  view the full minutes text for item 92.