VITAL public consultations on the future look and feel of Teignbridge got under way this week with tens of thousands of people being asked to air their views in the first stage review of the district’s Local Plan.
The exercise, which kicked off on Monday and extends right up to 5pm on July 16, focuses on planning of the area and how development will shape up over the coming years.
Details of the Plan document can be scrutinised online at www.teignbridge.gov.uk/local planreviewsurvey while Teignbridge planning officers will be on hand to discuss matters at a variety of public drop-in sessions.
The itinerary
Saturday, June 2: 10am-3pm at Kingskerswell Village Hall, 15 School Lane, Kingskerswell, TQ12 5HD.
Tuesday, June 5: noon-8pm at Great Hall, Old Forde House, Brunel Road, Newton Abbot, TQ12 4XX.
Wednesday, June 6: noon-8pm at Ipplepen Village Hall, Ipplepen.
Friday, June 8: noon-8pm at Highweek Village Hall, Highweek Village, Newton Abbot, TQ12 1QG.
Tuesday, June 12: noon-8pm at Exminster Victory Hall, Main Road, Exminster, EX6 8DF.
Thursday, June 14: noon-8pm at Kingsteignton Community Hall, Mary Hall Suite, Rydon Road, Kingsteignton, TQ12 3LP.
Tuesday, June 19: noon-8pm at Pavilions Teignmouth, The Den Crescent, Teignmouth, TQ14 8BG.
Thursday, June 21: noon-8pm at The Rest Centre, Chudleigh Town Hall, Market Way, Chudleigh, TQ13 0HL.
Friday, June 22: noon-8pm at The Strand Church (URC), 32 The Strand, Dawlish, EX7 9PT.
Tuesday, June 26: 1.30pm-8pm at Methodist Church Hall, Le Molay-Littry Way, Bovey Tracey, TQ13 9AD.
Wednesday, June 27: noon-8pm at John Bromell Room, Tedburn St. Mary Village Hall, Crediton Road, Tedburn St Mary, EX6 6DZ.
Cllr Humphrey Clemens, Teignbridge Council’s executive spokesman for planning and housing, said: ‘This is an opportunity for people to get involved and share their views.
‘People will be able to read and comment online, ask questions or find out more information at any of the 11 events being held around the district.
‘At this stage we are urging landowners to come forward with suggestions for development sites. We want to create a catalogue of potential employment and residential sites which will be assessed as part of the review.’
He added: ‘Teignbridge has had real success in delivering policies within the Local Plan since its adoption.
‘Some examples include providing around 660 much-needed homes for local people each year, meeting our housing targets every year since the plan was adopted.
‘We were one of the first to introduce a self-build policy, we’ve worked with many communities to bring forward Neighbourhood Plans and are progressing redevelopment plans in Newton Abbot town centre and Bradley Lane.
‘Amazing facilities’
‘Through the Local Plan, Teignbridge has been able to provide amazing facilities for local people, like the widely-enjoyed Dawlish Countryside Park. Having the Local Plan in place means we can justify the need and successfully bid for new infrastructure, like roads and schools.
‘For example, by working with the community, developers and Devon County Council, we supported a successful bid to provide a new £20 million school at South West Exeter.
‘The consultation will give you the chance to tell us how you think the plan should be updated to reflect changing local needs, particularly for housing.
‘At this stage, the review will address overall direction of the plan, including possible places where development could take place.
‘In future stages, there will be opportunities to comment on draft policies and potential development sites.’
Local Plans must be kept up to date and councils have a legal duty to update them at least every five years. Teignbridge Local Plan was formally adopted in May 2014, so now is the right time to review it, says the authority.
Opportunities
A Teignbridge spokesman said this ‘issues’ stage of the Plan was an opportunity to:
• Extend the plan period to 2040.
• Respond to community ambitions for their area.
• Identify what has worked and what requires improvement.
• Align policies and proposals with the Greater Exeter Strategic Plan.
• Update and reflect evidence.
• Reflect changes to legislation, national policy and guidance.
• Reflect adopted neighbourhood plans.
‘Later stages of the Local Plan review will become more detailed as it progresses. The next stage will be an opportunity to comment on the Draft Plan,’ the spokesman explained.
‘As part of the consultation people will also be able to comment on supporting documents which directly impact on plan-making such as environmental assessments, settlement boundaries, settlement hierarchy and Statement of Community Involvement.’
Interested parties can see the full planning documents and online questionnaire on Teignbridge Council’s website at www.teignbridge.gov.uk/local planreviewsurvey.
People can write to Local Plan Review Issues Consultation, Spatial Planning and Delivery, Teignbridge Council, Forde House, Newton Abbot, phone 01626 215735 or email: localplanreview@teignbridge. gov.uk.