There is less than a week left to have your say on how East Devon will be developed from now until 2040.

The public consultation on East Devon District Council's draft Local Plan closes on Sunday, January 15.

Thousands of people have already commented on proposals in the new draft Local Plan including on how many new homes need to be built and where. The consultation seeks views on specific sites for development which could be next to your house.

In Axminster, up to 1,050 new houses could be built under the new Local Plan, and 215 are proposed for Seaton.

The plan sets out various other aims, including: 

• How the district would address the climate change emergency

• How and where new jobs should be created how we should support our town centres

• How East Devon protects its built heritage and natural environment

• How EDDC intends to deliver housing to meet the needs of local residents and ensure new homes are net zero carbon ensuring they are more efficient and cheaper to run

The new Local Plan will be a key document when making planning decisions in East Devon so it is vital people tell EDDC what they think of the proposals now.

Everyone who lives, works and spends time in the district has been asked to share their views about the future of the district as part the consultation.

Councillor Dan Ledger, EDDC's portfolio holder for strategic planning, said:"It is so important that people look at this consultation and tell us what they think before the consultation closes.

"There has been lots of stories in the press about potential future changes to the planning system and how these might reduce the number of homes that we need to build.

"These changes are currently unclear but what is clear is that we will still need thousands of new homes, business and community spaces and we need to hear as many views as possible on the proposals in our new Local Plan to help us decide which are best for the future of East Devon."

The consultation can be viewed online at www.eastdevon.gov.uk/local-plan

The feedback EDDC receives on this draft plan will be used to help inform and refine EDDC's thinking as the Local Plan is progressed.

In just over a years' time, EDDC hopes to have a final version of the plan informed by the comments it receives that will be consulted on and then subject to an examination in public by a government-appointed planning inspector.

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