Futures Forum meets with
District Councillors and Officers to look at
‘Development for Sustainability’
With representatives
from across East Devon, it proved an excellent opportunity to network between
local government and community groups.
Tuesday 24th September’s
meeting kicked off with the former head of the Local Plan Panel, Cllr Mike
Allen, presenting how sustainability is at the heart of long-term planning at
the District Council.
> We need to
recognise the ‘Limits to Growth’, with increases in food and resource prices as
well as population pressure across East Devon.
> The current price
of houses in East Devon is 14 times earnings: the ‘flight of young people’ has
to be stemmed by making more housing and workspaces available.
> Sidmouth is unique
among local towns in that more people commute into Sidmouth to work than
commute out – which gives a priority on affordable housing for key workers, rather
than new employment opportunities.
> Most economic
activity in Devon is based on rural and agricultural business: the Coalition
government has inverted the previous administration strategy, with the aim now
to make villages viable working communities rather than focus development in
urban centres.
> There is a need for
a ‘sequential approach’ to allowing development, with highest quality farming
land and AONB areas most protected.
[See full presentation
at Futures Forum blog; and
East Devon’s Planning
Policy Manager Matt Dickins outlined how the Sustainability Appraisal was put
together, whilst stressing the difficulty of defining ‘sustainability’.
> There is substantial
‘in-migration’ of families into East Devon – increasing demand for both market
and affordable housing.
> Sidmouth has very
few ‘brownfield sites’ and low wages compared to Exeter – issues for employment
land and job creation.
> The 7 economic
objectives, 10 environmental objectives and 3 economic objectives, need to be
balanced – but are not mutually compatible.
[See full presentation
at Futures Forum blog; and
Dave Bramley, chair of
the VGS, agreed, saying that this would mean there would have to be trade-offs
– with Cllr Allen pointing out the paradox of community not wanting development
and yet national policy had determined that there should be ‘sustainable
growth’.
Jo Mitchell, of the VGS
and independent consultant on sustainability, asked exactly how ‘objectives’
were measured – for example, that there should be ‘no increase in flooding’ at
Sidford – with Officer Dickins saying that these figures could be challenged
either at the Examination of the Local Plan or during any future planning
application.
Margaret Day of SOS
questioned how any development on the flood plain at Sidford could be classed
as ‘sustainable’ – and yet, whilst Cllr Allen's personal view was that this
site was not viable, it had nevertheless been judged the ‘most appropriate’
site, taking into consideration the need for new homes and new jobs.
The new Devon Manager
for Sustrans (‘Sustainable Transport’) Paul Hawkins then spoke about his
determination to undertake a feasibility study for the Feniton cycle path. It
was vital to engage positively with landowners as well as meet up with local
groups over the coming months – and he asked for anyone with knowledge of the
route to contact him on paul.hawkins@sustrans.org.uk
or Tel: 07917 612782.
Derek Chant, head of
SVEAG, pointed to practical schemes, including an annual Sidmouth College shield
for energy projects and making use of an Open Homes grant to help with energy
efficiency. Significantly, SVEAG will be hosting the event ‘Back to the Future’
together with the Observatory on 14th November– looking to when Sidmouth
produced enough energy to satisfy its own energy needs and considering setting
up a community company to do so again.
Derek Smithers of
Exmouth, representing the wider Transition Town movement in East Devon, called
for greater liaison within the District and highlighted two sessions
considering central sustainability issues – including climate change, on 30th
September with Prof Challenor of Exeter University, and sustainable tourism on
16th October, sponsored by Exmouth’s Chamber of Commerce. Cllr Allen welcomed
the innovations coming out of the TT movement – especially the ‘energy descent
plan’.
Emily McIvor of the East
Devon Alliance engaged Cllr Allen in debate on the issue of East Devon's
'carbon footprint' ('three and a half planets') in comparison to the
rapidly growing economies of China and India - and the impacts this will have
on development for sustainability.
Finally, looking to
immediate steps, Cllr Allen said groups should contact Jamie Buckley, the
Officer in charge of Community Coordination, to help with the likes of grant
applications.
He also suggested
contacting Phil Townsend, DCC Highways Development Management Officer, to ensure that the
transport and road traffic issues at Sidford were well aired and understood.
Moreover, Cllr Allen welcomed
and encouraged community engagement in dialogue with the District Council, urging
representations on the Local Plan to be sent in before 7th October for
consideration by the Inspector.
In thanking the main
speakers the Chair Robert Crick ended on the positive note that population
scientists have evidence that humanity globally is developing in a way that
should enable us to survive the challenges of the coming century so long as we
ensure stability and share resources equitably.
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