Agenda item

This report sets out initial feedback on responses received to the local plan issues and options report consultation that closed on the 15 March 2021.

The report presented to the Committee outlined the initial feedback received to the local plan issues and options report consultation that ran from 18 January 2021 to 15 March 2021.

Members noted a further feedback report would be presented to the Committee in June 2021 following a more detailed review of the written comments received.

From the 658 responses received detailed in appendix 1 appended to the report, the Service Lead – Planning Strategy and Development Management drew Members attention to some of the comments received which included:

·         Two thirds of respondents were supportive of the objectives for the plan;

·         There was an even split between the single plan option and the multiple plan option;

·         A wide support and consensus was shown for energy efficiency measures with much support for requiring net zero carbon development;

·         60% of respondents supported the idea of identifying land specifically for renewables development, such as, solar farms;

·         There was a clear support for the need for housing for all stages of life;

·         There was a clear support for home working;

·         There was strong support for jobs growth across all the sectors;

·         There was a good support for a range of town centre uses, in particular, community and leisure centres and a mix of commercial uses;

·         There was a clear consensus for the importance of good design and protecting heritage, countryside and the natural environment.

Points raised during discussion included:

Ø  Comforted to see that people want more home working.  This statistically could be signs of patterns of change in the employment market due to Covid-19.  It was suggested that going forward the council should be tackling people’s desire to work from home more through the planning system.

Ø  Less people travelling to work by car would help climate change by reducing emissions.

Ø  Looking forward to a more detailed report to help understand some of the statistics.  Reference was made to the statistics to question 8 on page 25 considering the age range that completed the survey was mostly older people.  The Service Lead – Planning Strategy and Development Management agreed the age range could be better in terms of engaging with the younger population and advised he was in discussions with the Communications Team about how this can be done with future consultations.

Ø  The need to compare the demographic referred to in paragraph 7.3 on page 7 to the demographic of people in East Devon to help provide the appropriate housing requirements.

Ø  Clarification sought on whether there was any questions that should have been asked.  In response the Service Lead – Planning Strategy and Development Management advised in hindsight perhaps some of the split responses to some of the options could have been different but in general he could not think of any specific questions that could have been asked.

Ø  Clarification sought about how and when more detail can be put in the consultation about what people really think about the options available to them.  In response the Service Lead – Planning Strategy and Development Management advised people will be able to engage more during the draft plan stage when considering the potential site options for allocations.

Ø  A suggestion was made to split the consultation down into individual questions to avoid the heaviness of the volume, scope, language and presentation which could appear quite daunting.  In response the Service Lead Planning Strategy and Development Management said he was looking at ways of presenting the consultation differently in future by using different software to make it clear and more flexible for people

Ø  Interest was shown to see whether there was any significant differences between the different age groups.  The Service Lead Planning Strategy and Development Management said he would look into whether responses could be further analysed by age group etc.

RESOLVED:

That the initial feedback received in consultation responses to the Local Plan issues and options report be noted.