East Devon residents have just a few days left to have their say on the district council's new Local Plan.

So far, hundreds of people have had their say in a public consultation, although there have been few comments from young people, and the council is keen to hear from all groups in the community as the new Local Plan will affect everyone who lives, works and plays in the district.

The plan will affect how the East Devon area is developed in the future, and top priorities raised by residents so far have included small scale developments infilling current towns and villages, support for entrepreneurs and jobs in town centres.

Cllr Dan Ledger, portfolio holder for strategic planning said: "The current pandemic has changed the working habits of all of us. It has also given us the opportunity to reflect on how we might improve working conditions moving forward.

"The current issues and options consultation asks how EDDC should look to achieve this.

"Through your feedback, we will try to gain a consensus on how the district wish to see employment development come forward, where job creation should be focussed and how we should perceive the future working environments for all of our residents."

New Homes

When asked about sites for housing developments, 25% of respondents so far favoured 10% of houses being built on small sites – in line with a government minimum standard.

A further 16% of respondents thought between 11 to 25% of new houses should be built on small sites and 29 favoured options of more than a quarter of new houses being on small sites.

So far residents have said that it is important not to swamp smaller communities, especially without providing the necessary infrastructure.

Other suggestions included building on small sites near towns and villages on unsightly unused brownfield sites – in the hope it would be better for town centre regeneration, with less car use.

When asked where developments should go, the majority of people favoured infilling in towns and larger villages over building new communities.

As part of the consultation, residents have been asked how many new homes East Devon should plan for.

Overall, 29%of respondents favoured an annual average of 928 – this is a government 'minimum' level – and a total of 31% favoured higher levels of growth. EDDC gave examples suggesting this may help deliver more affordable homes.

A total of 33% of respondents also selected the 'none of these options' tick box. From the comments made so far there seemed to be a trend that favoured a lower target than 928 with many people expressing concerns around the impact of house building and a small number suggesting to build more homes.

Residents also suggested that affordable housing should be ring-fenced for local families and not be allowed as second homes and there should be a levy/tax on existing second homes and holiday lets so the demand for these is reduced.

Jobs

Residents have also been asked their thoughts on where they think future jobs should be located, with the highest ranking answer was for 'more home working'.

Other popular options have included 'more jobs in towns', jobs 'close to Exeter', excluding the West End, more jobs 'at the West End', and at the bottom of the list was jobs in 'villages and countryside'.

Another hot topic of discussion has been the support for differing job sectors, with the highest ranking answer was for 'more local entrepreneurs'.

Respondents have also asked for more jobs in traditional sectors, more high-tech jobs and lowest of the options was attracting inward investment by large firms.

Among the views shared by residents were that employment creation across the whole of East Devon was important but different areas have different needs so schemes needed to be planned for sensitively. Support was given towards providing help for apprenticeships in rural crafts.

Others said attention was needed to look at trying to optimise town centres and working within the town people lived in to encourage a greener way of living.

Other views included support for home working now COVID had shown it was possible for a large proportion of people to do so and should be actively encouraged.

Residents said that home working encouraged local community development as people see each other when going for their daily walk, and this 'post-COVID spirit should be strengthened'.

Environment

More public transport, solar panels on new builds and more woodland areas are just some of the suggestions residents have made on how to tackle environmental issues and help East Devon become carbon neutral.

One of the big questions the council has asked residents in the public consultation is at what point in time it should require all new buildings to be zero carbon.

In total, 42% of respondents favoured making all new developments carbon neutral from the point the new plan is adopted, with the council hoping this will be in 2023, while a further 44% thought it should be at a later date and 10% thought should wait for central government to put a policy in place.

Residents who have taken part in the consultation so far have also suggested a number of options they think that should be considered to help address climate change concerns.

This includes, better public transport – such as park and rides – and more pedestrianisation of streets, while other suggestions have included more links between settlements that are safe for pedestrians, cyclists and disability scooter users, in the hope that this would reduce the use of motor vehicles and encourage healthier lifestyles.

Another hot topic of debate was where or if East Devon should have solar farms and wind farms, with an overwhelming 63% of respondents favouring the authority identifying specific areas for solar and wind farms, whilst 18% of residents said they supported the general idea.

In total, 11% of residents said they wanted East Devon to apply a more restrictive approach, making getting permission harder for such developments, with suggestions from residents including avoiding large scale wind and solar farms to protect the look of East Devon's coast and countryside, and instead focus on using solar panels on roofs, especially larger buildings like farm barns.

Other ideas included using ground and air source heat pumps for heating and more focus on generating electricity using tide, wave, and water power – something East Devon has better access to than many others, while there was strong support for more large scale woodland areas and tree planting across the district also.

Answers in the consultation also mentioned a want for larger gardens and adequate space around houses for parking, giving people more space around new build developments to enjoy and not feel cramped.

Cllr Ledger said: "East Devon will have many challenges as we look over the next local plan period. How we deal with the declared climate emergency is one issue that all residents will need to take note of.

"The current issues and options consultation covers a range of questions regarding how the district council can best tackle this and we are keen to gain your views on how we proceed.

"Please use this chance to give us your thoughts on how we can deliver a better and more sustainable district for all."

Have your say now

Residents are running out of time to have their say, with just a few days until the end of the first consultation on the new Local Plan, which finishes on March 15.

The Local Plan shows how an area will develop in the future and provides policies which will guide decisions on whether or not planning applications are granted.

Concerns have also been raised over the number of younger people that haven€™t spoken out about what they want for their future – currently mor than 70% of people, who have responded to the consultation are over 56 years old. The council is keen to hear from all groups in the community.

You can have your say in the new Local Plan consultation at www.eastdevon.gov.uk/newlocalplan, and the consultation will close on March 15.

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