Decision details

The Cabinet had before it a *report of the Head of Planning and Regeneration proposing a revised timetable for the review of the Local Plan in the Local Development Scheme (LDS) for Mid Devon and seeking funding approval from Council for additional technical work to inform the submission document.

The Head of Planning and Regeneration outlined the contents of the report stating that there was a need to present a revised version of the Local Development Scheme which reflected the continuing need to prepare a new Local Plan as quickly as possible, but took into account a delay in reaching the submission stage as there was a need to acquire additional technical evidence.  The technical work related to access arrangements to the proposed East Cullompton Urban Extension and motorway access improvements in relation to Junction 28.  The requirement for detailed design work at this stage of the planning process was not anticipated and the time required to complete the work was estimated to delay the submission of the plan by 6-7 months, the work would be commissioned by Devon County Council and this authority’s contribution would be approximately £100,000.

Referring to the questions posed in public question time: with regard to Mr Disney’s question regarding the growth agenda, officers were keen to see sustainable growth in the district, this was an unfortunate delay but a very important piece of work was required.  With regard Mr Berry’s question regarding Junction 27, many representations had been received both for and against development at Junction 27, there was a need to consider the plan as a whole and therefore the design work at Junction 28 had to be completed to be able to put forward a sound plan to the inspector.

Consideration was given to:

·         Concerns regarding the delay in submitting the plan and whether the Government would intervene, the Head of Planning and Regeneration stated that there was already a plan in place and that this work was a revision to that plan and therefore unlikely to cause concern to the Government.

·         Clarification with regard to Junction 27 and the fact that the developer could put in a planning application.

·         Planning permission for motorway services had already been granted at Junction 27.

It was therefore

RESOLVED that the new Local Development Scheme (as shown at Appendix 1) be approved.

(Proposed by Cllr C R Slade and seconded by Cllr N V Davey)

(Proposed by  Cllr R L Stanley and seconded by Cllr N V Davey)

Note:  *Report previously circulated, copy attached to minutes.