RESULTS from the latest public consultation on Teignmouth’s Neighbourhood Plan are now being collated and analysed.

The final version of the plan will be put together by the autumn before being considered by Teignbridge District Council.

The latest milestone consultation into the contents of the plan has now closed, having been on public display over the summer.

Since work started in 2019, the plan reached its final draft stage this summer and after the public display, will eventually go on to be considered by an independent examiner.

If the final plan passes tests set by the Government, it will be finalised and the subject of a referendum.

Then, if a majority of eligible residents in the plan area vote to accept it, it becomes a legal planning document in the planning system, being ‘made’, or formally adopted.

The overall ‘vision statement’ aims that by 2040, Teignmouth will be a sustainable, thriving town with a healthy and unpolluted environment, set in a protected coastal and estuary setting.

The plan is broken down into nine areas: the built environment, housing, sport, leisure and tourism, community facilities and services, town centre and retail, tourism, arts and culture, transport and accessibility, natural environment and economy and employment.

Among the highlights of the built environment area are: improving flooding which includes reducing the risk to existing properties and gully clearing.

The aim is to improve the town’s drainage.

The proposals also include work with the Teign Heritage Centre to secure local assets and explore development of a heritage trail.

For housing, the plan hopes to work with community-led initiatives, help influence housing numbers and their location and design.

In terms of sport, leisure and recreation, the draft plan is looking to explore ways to provide a multi-use facility which can accommodate gymnastics, locations and funding outdoor gyms and trim trails in park areas and local green spaces and an outdoor gym and showers on the beach.

It is also looking into provision of a water sport centre at Polly Steps, improve ments to Coombe Valley nature reserve and further explore the refurbishment of The Den, including wet and dry play areas and extension of the skatepark.

The proposals also include helping develop a long-term strategy for the Lido and refurbishment of Broadmeadow Leisure Centre.

Plans for community facilities and services include delivering a range if facilities for young people including meeting places and play areas.

There is also a hope to help with performance space and the needs of arts and culture as well as promoting small-scale food production.

One aim is to improve the quality of the town centre properties and encourage fresh market traders to build a sustainable source of food and associated stalls to build confidence in local shopping.

The town council and town centre retailers are looking to work with Teignbridge Council to help improvements and encourage and support planting of flower beds.

The draft plan is also keen to encourage ‘express size’ national retailers into the town while also supporting a shop local marketing strategy, including delivery and click and collect.

Renovation of the pier is supported in the plan and a potential purchase through a Community Interest Company scheme.

Under its transport, accessibility and parking theme, the plan aims to improve air quality, particularly in Bitton Park Road.

The town council wants to work with local schools and Devon County Council to help support safer journeys to school; continue to explore, with Devon County Council an appropriate scheme which could safely open Upper Den Carriageway for parking all year around and look into electric vehicle hire schemes.

In the natural environment, the plan aims to identify trees of value to be designated for preservation orders and to lobby for the increased protection of trees.

Cllr Joan Atkins, chairman of the steering group, said: ‘Everyone concerned has worked hard to make this a document which will take us through into the future and shape the way Teignmouth moves forward where it is possible.

‘I am proud to have been able to lead this group and we hope that all the work trying to engage with our townsfolk and reflect their thoughts in a meaningful way and provide supporting documentation will be rewarded by acceptance by Teignbridge.

‘It also provides a financial gain in that the percentage of Community Infrastructure Levy money paid by a developer increases if the plan is approved and will enable us to spend more on eligible small projects within the town.’