Decision details

The Cabinet had before it a report * from the Director of Place and Economy on the Willand Neighbourhood Plan.

The Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Regeneration outlined the contents of the report with particular reference to the following:

• The outcome of a recent local referendum held for the Willand Neighbourhood Plan and the need for the Council to make a decision about the adoption of this plan.
• The Willand Neighbourhood Plan was subject to a local referendum held on Thursday 27^th February 2025, at which persons eligible to vote in the neighbourhood plan area (Willand Parish) were asked the following question:

“Do you want Mid Devon District Council to use the neighbourhood plan for Willand to help it decide planning applications in the neighbourhood area?”

The result of the referendum was as follows:

• Since 90% of voters who voted were in favour of the Willand Neighbourhood Plan, the plan had become part of the statutory development plan for the area. It had attained the same legal status as a local plan (and other documents that form part of the statutory development plan). Applications for planning permission must be determined in accordance with the development plan, unless material considerations indicate otherwise. Policies of the Neighbourhood Plan would be used alongside policies in the adopted Mid Devon Local Plan, and the Devon Minerals and Waste Plans, to help guide planning applications submitted to the Council for determination in the Willand area and the decisions made on these.
• The Council must now formally adopt the Plan as soon as reasonably practicable after the referendum is held, and not later than 8 weeks from that date.  The Council may refuse to make the Plan if it considers that making it would be a breach, or would otherwise be incompatible with, any remaining EU obligations or any human rights obligations. Council officers hold the view that the making of the Plan would not breach these obligations (as set out within the Council’s Decision Statement). The Council must decide whether to make, or refuse to make, the Plan.
• There was no opportunity at this stage to seek to amend the contents of the plan or make further representations to it.

RESOLVED that Cabinet recommends to Council that:

• The Willand Neighbourhood Plan (Appendix 1) is ‘made’ (adopted) and brought into force as part of the statutory development plan for the Willand area.
• The Willand Neighbourhood Plan Adoption Decision Statement (Appendix 2) is published to meet the publicity requirements in the Regulations.

(Proposed by Cllr S Keable and Seconded by Cllr S Clist)

Reason for Decision:

There were no direct financial implications from adopting the Willand Neighbourhood Plan. However, the process leading to the adoption of a Neighbourhood Plan has had financial implications. The costs of support in terms of advice and technical support, examination and referendum must be met by the Council.

Note: *Report previously circulated.