Agenda and draft minutes

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 25 November 2025 were confirmed as a true record.

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

Minute 41. Future of Neighbourhood Planning Support.

Councillor Brian Bailey, Affects Non-registerable Interest, Exmouth Town Councillor and had been involved with the development of Exmouth's Neighbourhood Plan.

Minute 41. Future of Neighbourhood Planning Support.

Councillor Peter Faithfull, Affects Non-registerable Interest, Ottery St Mary Town Councillor.

Information on public speaking is available online

Thomas Shillitoe addressed the Committee concerning the Regulation 19 Local Plan, stating that in his view the Plan was neither sound nor legally compliant and runs the risk that substantial changes are needed at examination.  He referred to a breach of the Regulations, noting that the consultation had been substantially altered since its publication. Mr Shillitoe spoke about Exmo_20 and urged the Committee to take immediate steps to remove the development at the upper section and proposed that the surplus allocation of 563 housing allocations be utilised instead. He expressed concern regarding what he perceived as the Committee’s compliant approach and urged Members to ensure that the opportunity presented by the 563 surplus housing allocations was not wasted.

John Hamill expressed serious concerns regarding decisions made by Committee which he believed compromised the credibility, legality and soundness of the Local Plan.  He cited key issues including the absence of a complete air quality mitigation strategy, inconsistences within the Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) and flaws in the site selection methodology.  Mr Hamill emphasised that the Regulation 19 stage should be evidence-led, justified and consistent; however, instead his view is that the evidence was being shaped to fit predetermined outcomes describing this as outcome-driven planning.  He highlighted several fundamental problems including procedural failures, questions over the soundness of the Plan, a lack of public trust and significant legal risks. He urged the Committee to acknowledge these failings and to have the courage to change these before the Inspector rejects the Local Plan.

Nigel Humphrey addressed the Committee regarding public engagement in the Regulation 19 process and raised three key points:

1.    Following the initial consultation, the public were advised that individual responses to questions would not be provided; however the sustainability appraisal report included over 30 pages of the Council’s responses to all comments received.  He stated that the public should be informed of these responses.

2.    Specific questions raised at the previous meeting were not adequately answered.  An email reiterating these questions, along with an additional query, was sent to the Chair in early December and copied to all Committee Members.  To date no response has been received.

3.    He questioned what steps the Council would take to engage with the public and encourage comments on the proposed new community. The Assistant Director – Planning Strategy and Development Services had advised that 1,100 comments on site Exmo_20 was not unusual for a large development; however only four comments have been received regarding the new community, which is expected to comprise over 10,000 dwellings.

Mr Humphrey advised the Committee that the Council must demonstrate a genuine and comprehensive commitment to engaging with and listening to the public.  He added that providing responses to his questions would be appreciated.

Stuart Lees, referred to the Regulation 19 consultation and expressed concern about the pressure on already overstretched local infrastructure, as well as findings from the Water Cycle Study which identified significant issues with water treatment and pollution in the River Otter.  He asked what  ...  view the full minutes text for item 38.

Information on matters of urgency is available online

There were no matters of urgency to discuss.

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 to discuss.

The Assistant Director - Strategic Planning and Development Services presented the report to the Committee outlining the future of neighbourhood planning support.  He noted that East Devon has historically been proactive in providing officer support to local communities.

However, the Government’s decision to withdraw the national support programme, which previously offered grants of up to £10,000 coincides with the anticipated depletion of the Council’s own neighbourhood planning reserve by 2026/27.  This creates a significant challenge in meeting East Devon’s statutory duty to provide advice, guidance and support for neighbourhood planning.

The Assistant Director - Strategic Planning and Development Services emphasised the importance of continuing support, while recognising limited resources and proposed prioritising officer time on reviewing and updating of existing neighbourhood plans alongside sharing resources, digital tools and providing training.  The Committee were advised that, to help ‘re-launch’ neighbouring planning, officers will hold a half-day in- person event in the first quarter of 2026. 

The Assistant Director - Strategic Planning and Development Services invited the Committee’s views on how best to ensure neighbourhood planning remains viable and delivers robust plans.

Questions from the Committee included:

·         Further clarification was sought on the effectiveness of sharing resources and whether officer support would be available for revising plans.  The Committee noted that support and guidance would be provided by the dedicated Neighbourhood Planning Officer and parishes would continue to be invited to attend webinars and in-person events to help understand what would be required.

·         Guidance was requested on what budget parishes should allocate for plan updates, noting that smaller parishes may face challenges in setting aside sufficient funds.  The Assistant Director - Strategic Planning and Development Services advised contacting the Neighbourhood Planning Officer as costs depend on the size of the community and its objectives.

·         There is a need to inform parish councils about the challenges facing the district council and, with the potential for a Devon-wide Local Plan in the future, the importance of having neighbourhood plans is now greater.

·         It was suggested that the first recommendation was too weak and should be reconsidered.

Committee debate included:

·         The importance of neighbourhood plans and continued funding for parish councils was highlighted, noting the high costs for smaller rural communities.  While acknowledging East Devon District Council’s budget constraints, it was suggested that some financial support should be provided.

·         It was suggested that the government may be seeking to reduce local influence on planning policy, indicating a broader move toward centralisation.

·         Support was expressed for the recommendations as written as it was suggested that costs for neighbourhood plans could be passed on to council tax payers.

·         Support was expressed for neighbourhood plans as it brings people together about local issues.

·         It was noted that councillors need more information on the role and benefits of neighbourhood plans, and how they can use their position to promote them.

·         Support was expressed for providing a dedicated funding envelope to cover costs associated with neighbourhood plans.

·         It was suggested that a report at the next meeting on how many  ...  view the full minutes text for item 41.

The report provided an annual summary of employment land provision in East Devon to the year ending 31 March 2025 seeing 16 employment developments completed amounting to 5.76 hectares based on the assessment of the following use classes:

Ø  B2: General Industrial

Ø  B8: Storage and Distribution

Ø  E(g) i) Offices to carry out operation and administrative functions

                   ii) Research and development of products and processes

                  iii) Industrial processes

Ø  Sui Generis or other uses that occupy employment sites that do not fall into B/E(g) category, but which are similar in nature.

The Assistant Director – Planning Strategy and Development Services highlighted the following specific issues in the East Devon Employment Land Review report:

o   Page 157 – Outline planning application (22/2781/MOUT) for 130 dwellings to the east of Harepath Road, Seaton.

Clarification: Approved in principle, subject to a Section 106 Agreement

o   The employment land at Newcourt Barton on Clyst Road, Clyst St Mary is not included in the report and should be added to sites where additional work is required in Appendix 1F.

The Assistant Director – Planning Strategy and Development Services advised that, in light of these and any further issues that may arise, an additional recommendation should be included to grant him delegated authority, in consultation with the Chair, to make the necessary amendments to Appendix 1F.

Questions raised by Committee Members included:

·         Clarification was sought on whether farm diversification was addressed in the report.  The Assistant Director – Planning Strategy and Development Services acknowledged these types of diversification are difficult to identify and would require councillors’ local knowledge.

·         A question was raised about the weight of the villages plan compared to the new Local Plan; The Committee noted that the villages plan will be phased out as the Local Plan is phased in.

·         Concerns were expressed about the report’s accuracy, noting missing information.

·         It was noted that Rockbeare Quarry and Blackhill Quarry were not included in the list.

RESOLVED:

1.    The information set out in the Employment Land Review 2024/25 be noted and published on the Council’s website.

2.    That delegated authority be given to the Assistant Director – Planning Strategy and Development Services in consultation with the Chair to add additional sites and issues to appendix 1F of the report.

The Committee considered a report seeking endorsement of the Council’s proposed responses to Torbay Council’s Regulation 18 draft consultation.  Members were advised that, although Torbay is not a neighbouring authority, its Local Plan refers to a duty of co-operation from wider Devon authorities as the Plan does not meet its housing need.  It was therefore considered important for this Council to respond, highlighting concerns about the inappropriateness of accommodating any of Torbay’s unmet housing need within East Devon, given the geographical separation between the two areas.

Questions and comments raised by Committee Members included:

·         Whether any other authorities that neighbour Torbay Council have responded in a similar manner.  The Assistant Director – Planning Strategy and Development Services was unable to confirm but advised that this Council was not alone in its concerns and noted Teignbridge District Council, a neighbouring council was in its final stages of adopting its Plan.

·         Whether Torbay Council had undertaken a call for sites.  It was understood that a call for sites had been carried out, but insufficient sites were identified.

·         A suggestion that the recommendation lacked sufficient robustness.

·         While sympathy was expressed for Torbay Council’s significant challenges in meeting its housing need, support was given for the proposed responses, noting that this Council also faces its own housing pressures.

RESOLVED:

That the Council respond to the Torbay Council Local Plan consultation (using the text set out in the committee report) to ensure that the views and concerns of East Devon District Council around their policy position in respect of housing provision are appropriately heard and taken into account.

The Assistant Director – Planning Strategy and Development Services presented a report seeking approval for the publication and submission to government of the 2024/25 Annual Structure Funding Statement setting out monies received from Community Infrastructure Levies and Section 106 agreements during the year.

Key points highlighted included:

o   8 S106 agreements were signed securing £4.96m in financial contributions and 415 affordable dwellings.

o   A total of £1.622m was collected in financial contributions.

o   £734,000 was spent on community infrastructure including Exmouth Rugby Club and Pinhoe Surgery.

In response to Members noting that some parishes were missing from the Neighbourhood CIL summary, the Assistant Director – Planning Strategy and Development Services requested that delegated authority, in consultation with the Chair, to amend the list accordingly.

RESOLVED:

1.    That the contents of this report and the requirements to provide an Annual Infrastructure Funding Statement be noted.

2.    That the publication and submission to government of the 2024/25 Annual Funding Statement based on the information detailed in the report be approved and delegated authority be given to the Assistant Director – Planning Strategy and Development Services, in consultation with the Chair to amend the Neighbourhood CIL summary list.