Agenda item

Information on public speaking is available online

Mr Whitely thanked the Leader for the opportunity to raise concerns about East Devon’s Local Plan.  He argued the plan must be based on correct principles, but believe it relies on flawed data and assumptions, particularly from the ORS report used to determine housing needs.

His key concerns included:

• No fixed Government target exists for East Devon, and alternative housing calculation methods are allowed under national policy if properly justified.
• ORS followed the standard method but failed to consider that 60% of the district lies within National Landscapes (NLs), which have different demographics and legal protections.
• The use of uniform data across the district skews housing need calculations, leading to an inflated housing target of 21,000 homes instead of a more accurate estimate of around 16,000.
• As a result, housing is being disproportionately allocated outside the NL and even within protected areas, potentially violating laws like the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 and National Planning Policy Framework provisions.
• 700 homes in the plan may be illegal, as they serve communities outside the NL, effectively redrawing protected boundaries without Parliamentary approval.
• The speaker emphasises that this is a national issue, not one that should be borne by East Devon alone, and criticises the lack of scrutiny over the ORS report and absence of public consultation on these statistical and legal issues.

He urged the council to reconsider and properly assess the plan’s foundation.

In response, Cllr Olive informed the Cabinet that correspondence with Mr Whiteley had already been exchanged on this issue.  The Chair thanked Mr Whitely for his contribution.

Cllr Kevin Blakey informed Cabinet that, at its meeting on 9 June 2025, the Cranbrook Placemaking Group discussed the future of Wellbeing Cranbrook, the successor to Sport England’s local pilot. The East Devon New Community Manager had committed to providing key information and updates—specifically:

1. The job description for the Community Wellbeing and Activity Organiser,
2. Clarification from the NHS on funding for a Community Connector role, and
3. A discussion with Cranbrook Town Council about potentially hosting Wellbeing Cranbrook.

However, none of these actions have been completed.

Cranbrook Town Council (CTC) was eager to develop youth-focused services, given the town’s young and socio-economically challenged population. For instance, 29% of pupils at Cranbrook Education Campus are eligible for pupil premium, above the national average. CTC believes investment in youth services would have wider community benefits.

A social housing provider has shown interest in contributing funding toward a youth role, but progress is stalled due to uncertainty over the future of Wellbeing Cranbrook and potential funding from the Place Partnership or East Devon District Council.

Cllr Blakey asked Cabinet to:

• Ensure the previously promised information is shared with the Placemaking Group immediately, and
• Request that the overdue report on Wellbeing Cranbrook be prepared in time for the next Cabinet meeting on 3 September.

Cllr Blakey requested a written response to his concerns.

Cllr S Gazzard spoke of his learning of a decision to dispose of Radcliffe House community hall, being sold to a charity to run it.  The two Ward Members were not consulted, nor were the regular users of the facility.  Cllr Gazzard requested a written response on the issue.