Agenda item

The Committee considered the report that sought approval of the final version of the East Devon Local Plan Regulation 19 Consultation that had considered the changes expressed by Members from the meeting on 11 December 2024.

The Assistant Director – Planning Strategy and Development Management drew Members attention to the two appendices explaining that appendix 1 was the clean version and appendix 2 contained the tracked changes. 

In the report Members attention was drawn to two hyperlinks, the first leading to an interactive map and the second leading to PDF versions of maps of the towns and villages within the settlement hierarchy. Members also noted an update to the second new community by the removal of the boundary of the Clyst Valley Regional Park as this would be considered through the New Community Masterplan.

The Assistant Director – Planning Strategy and Development Management also updated Members about a change to the housing provision following the new NPPF which now required the Council to plan for at least 950 new homes per year.  He advised the Committee that this had slightly reduced the headroom in the housing numbers but that a 9.8% headroom was still included with a stepped housing trajectory that showed an annual target of 850 dwellings per year from 2020/21 to 2031/32 and 1,070 dwellings per year from 2032/33 onwards.

Members were reminded that it was a two-phase Regulation 19 Consultation and that the Consultation for the New Community Masterplan was due to start in Spring 2025 as detailed in paragraph 5.2 of the report.

The Assistant Director – Planning Strategy and Development Management referred to chapter 6 of the report drawing Members attention to the evidence library available on the website which included assessments such as the viability assessment and habitat regulations assessment, although Members noted that work was still ongoing in relation to air pollution and the Pebblebed Heaths.  Members also noted there were outstanding evidence documents which included:

Ø  Greater Exeter Transport Study which was continuing to progress and would be ready for the second phase of the Consultation. 

Ø  Infrastructure Delivery Plan which would be brought to Committee post Consultation.

Ø  Water Cycle Study.

The Assistant Director – Planning Strategy and Development Management referred to the public speakers and in response to the concerns raised about site allocation Exmo_20 and the access onto the B3179 he advised following further discussions with Devon County Council Highways additional wording had been added in order to provide clarity of these issues and to highlight that mitigation was required.  However, the primary access was always to be from the B3179 and Members were made aware of this when deciding to allocate the site.

Members were advised that anyone wishing to comment about the emerging Local Plan can do so by using the engagement platform ‘Commonplace’ which will be available on the website from week commencing Monday, 10 February 2025.  In addition, Members were advised that all Town and Parish Councils have been invited to attend a webinar Thursday evening to answer any questions about the consultation and to give help and support during their neighbourhood planning process.

Comments, questions and debate included:

·       A big thank you was expressed to the Chair, Vice Chair, Officers and Committee Members for the amount of time, effort, speed and professionalism shown in order to get this the Regulation 19 Consultation stage.

·       A concern was raised about how the public would be aware of the Local Plan Consultation if they don’t follow social media.  The Chair advised that along with social media the Council would be writing to all the town and parish councils, press releases would be issued and it would be included in residents’ newsletters in order to engage with a lot of people.

·       A member of the Committee did not support going out to Consultation without having sight of all the evidence-based documents.  It was questioned whether the Consultation would be legally sound without these documents and for all documents to be published at the same time.  The Assistant Director – Planning Strategy and Development Management acknowledged that not all the final versions of the evidence documents had been seen and reassured Members that these documents did not contain any surprises and if Members wished they could be brought to Committee on 4 March but highlighted this could lead to time constraints with the March deadline.

·       Unhappy to see that a West End line had been drawn in the Local Plan.  It was agreed that this should be removed.

·       Clarification was sought on the limited timetable if the Consultation was delayed.  The Assistant Director – Planning Strategy and Development Management explained that the first phase of the Consultation and the second phase would need to run straight after each other which would not be ideal as the Council could come under criticism for running the second phase into the summer period and holidays.

·       Support was expressed to keep to the original timescales and to publish the first phase of the Consultation on 10 February.

·       Disappointment expressed for the words ‘moving towards net zero carbon’ on page 429.  It should read we want net zero carbon development.

·       Support expressed for the tabled detailed on page 431.

·       Page 429 (C) ‘temperature discomfort’ – this is confusing.  Does it mean global warming?

·       Disappointment expressed for (A) on page 429 – to meet energy efficiency requirements set out in the building regulation Future Homes Standard (HSS) 2025.  In response the Chair referred to some Press reports about Future Homes Standard and expressed the need for the Council to look at opportunities to improve on this policy.  In response the Assistant Director – Planning Strategy and Development Management explained that following a Written Ministerial Statement local authorities could not adopt standards higher than the Future Homes Standard but reassured Members other conditions had been put in place such as future proofing for the fitting of solar panels to make it easier for people to fit solar panels.

·       Clarification sought on the gypsy and traveller sites east of the M5.  It was advised there were five fixed sites and up to 10 sites to be located at the New Community.

·       Clarification sought on the provision for wind power.  The Assistant Director – Planning Strategy and Development Management advised that due to the district’s topography and wind speeds there was limited need for a policy but advised that suitable wording could be added into Policy CC03 about the need for small scale wind farms.

The recommendations were proposed by Councillor Bethany Collins and seconded by Councillor Yehudi Levine. 

10 Committee Members voted in support, Councillor Jess Bailey voted against, and Councillor Helen Parr abstained from the vote.

RESOLVED:

1.     That the publication draft of the Local Plan as appended to this report be approved with delegated authority for the Assistant Director – Planning Strategy and Development Management, in consultation with the Chair, to make final minor adjustments to tidy up and refine local plan text wording to ensure consistency of approach through the plan, align formatting and correct typographical errors.

2.     That Strategic Planning Committee agreed to consult on the Regulation 19 version of the Local Plan as appended (subject to amendments agreed under recommendation 1 to run for six weeks, to commence in the week starting 10 February 2025.