Unsustainable development in East Devon >>> Newton Poppleford and Axminster

What exactly do we mean by 'sustainable development'?
Futures Forum: The semantics of sustainability: 'sustainable development'... or 'sustainable growth' ... or 'sustained economic growth'... or 'development for sustainability'...

In the UK it's all about developers leading 'development', where housing estates are the norm:
Futures Forum: Designing homes around people ... or cars >>> Planners allow edge-of-town housing estates where car travel is the only option

Whereas in the likes of Holland and Germany, new housing has to have facilities, services and infrastructure at its heart:
Futures Forum: A solution to our housing problems: inspiration from Holland and Bristol
Futures Forum: The £36-a-year utility bill >>> through ‘self-organized collaborative building’
Futures Forum: Retrofitting Suburbia > transforming urban life from within the urban boundary

It should be about 'building communities':
Futures Forum: A solution to our housing problems: build communities

We have a couple of examples in East Devon where the development cannot in any way be described as 'sustainable'.

In Axminster, a 20-minute walk (aka a 5-minute drive) to school is described as 'sustainable': 

No new school for Axminster’s urban extension

Despite the site being earmarked for up to 850 more homes, children who live there will have to attend one of the town’s two existing primary existing schools – up to a 20 minute walk away - according to the latest draft masterplan.

No new school for expanding Axminster | Honiton, Axminster and Seaton news - Midweek Herald

And in Newton Poppleford new residents will also have to travel some distance to public services:

Newton Poppleford won’t be getting a new surgery

The council feels that it is disingenuous of the applicant, having been granted planning permission on the basis of the pledge of a doctor’s surgery, to now seek to walk away from their promises.

Newton Poppleford won’t be getting a new surgery | Latest Sidmouth and Ottery News - Sidmouth Herald.
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Doctors object to retirement village plans > they can't cope with the pressure of extra elderly residents

We are to get a 'retirement village' at Knowle:
Futures Forum: Knowle relocation project: a summary of the issues
Futures Forum: Knowle relocation project: moving to Honiton...

And we are to get a 'retirement village' in Sidford:
Futures Forum: Proposals for sheltered housing for the elderly in Sidford > third planning application approved, despite the area 'not needing more sheltered accommodation'

With more media reports out today:
40 sheltered apartments to be built in Sidford - Radio Exe
Former care home will be demolished and turned into retirement flats - Devon Live

The problem is that we won't have enough health care provision for the incoming elderly:
Futures Forum: Knowle relocation project: a serious shortage of care workers in the Sid Valley area will mean that the new residents 'may experience problems' finding care provision

This is exactly what is happening just down the road and just around the corner: 

Doctors object to retirement village plans

Tuesday, December 11th, 2018 11:05am

By Ed Oldfield

An image from a consultation document in March of what part of the Sladnor Park retirement village could look like

They can't cope with the pressure of extra elderly residents

Doctors are objecting to plans for a retirement village in Torbay because of the pressure extra elderly residents will add to local health and care services “already close to breaking point.”

English Care Villages has submitted plans to Torbay Council for a 159-home “continuing care retirement community” at Sladnor Park, a former holiday park near the village of Maidencombe on the coast between Torquay and Shaldon.

Maidencombe Residents Association says the apartments would be too expensive for locals and the isolated site two and a half miles from the nearest urban centre at St Marychurch would bring in outsiders who would increase pressure on health and care services.

Objections to the plan include one from Torquay GP, Dr Roger Fearnley, who warned health services were already “close to breaking point” and said the Sladnor park development would attract people retiring from outside the local area.

He said in a comment on the planning application: “This influx of people would put significant further strains on health and social care services which are already close to breaking point.

“I am not aware of any meaningful conversations between the developers and local GP practices. There seems to be the assumption ‘we will cope.’ We may not.”

...

Doctors object to retirement village plans - Radio Exe

And yet where further health care facilities were promised are not going to happen:

Newton Poppleford won’t be getting a new surgery

PUBLISHED: 16:30 11 December 2018

Beth Sharp

Newton Poppleford area for proposed development of 40 houses. Picture by Alex Walton. Ref shv 9458-16-13AW

Permission is being sought to build houses on land, previously set aside for a new doctors’ surgery in Newton Poppleford.

An application to build 40 new homes along with a new medical centre at King Alfred Way was approved by a planning inspectorate in March 2017.

At the time, the developers, Clinton Devon Estates, had been in discussions with Coleridge Medical Centre (CMC) which had a strong desire to secure the GP practice and had secured funding from the NHS for this to happen. But in May 2018, CMC withdrew as the funds were no longer available.

At the time, a CMC spokesman told the Herald that GPs had evolved with much more emphasis on innovative ways of working and broadening the range of co-located staff to provide specialist support in shared premises. The developers said they had approached others who might be interested in occupying the surgery but no one showed an interest.

Clinton Devon Estates have now submitted proposals to build two extra new homes at the development.

Newton Poppleford and Harpford Parish Council has slammed the proposals. A spokesperson said: “The council feels that it is disingenuous of the applicant, having been granted planning permission on the basis of the pledge of a doctor’s surgery, to now seek to walk away from their promises.

“The local community has strongly supported a new surgery for the village; through letters of support, a petition and the nascent Neighbourhood plan. CMC operate the current surgery in the village and has declared it inadequate for their purposes. Despite supporting a new surgery initially, they publicly declared it would no longer be viable for them. Residents in the parish will not be taken on by Sidmouth Beacon Centre, which leaves Coleridge, in Ottery, as the main medical centre for the village, despite there being no direct public transport links.”

They added the parish council didn’t believe all avenues had been exhausted with regards to the new surgery and would welcome an immediate discussion with all parties to find a potential solution.

The first homes which are a part of the scheme, that included 16 affordable homes, are due to be completed in winter 2018 and the whole development is hoped to be finished by winter 2019.

Newton Poppleford won’t be getting a new surgery | Latest Sidmouth and Ottery News - Sidmouth Herald
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Neighbourhood Plan @ Newton Poppleford: input needed: Monday 16th February

This blog has produced several pieces on neighbourhood plans of late:
Futures Forum: Save Clyst St Mary: of neighbourhood plans and over-development: next public meeting: Thurs 19th February
Futures Forum: Neighbourhood plans: communities vs developers? >>>>> >>> the examples multiply >>>
Futures Forum: Honiton and Ottery St Mary >>> calling upon residents to 'shape the future' with Neighbourhood Plans
Futures Forum: Neighbourhood Power: The New Localism

The parish of Newton Poppleford set its own neighbourhood plan in process over a year ago:
Futures Forum: Neighbourhood Plan @ Newton Poppleford this evening: Monday 11th November 8pm

Have your say on parish plan

16:36 13 February 2015

Harvey Gavin

Residents in Newton Poppleford and Harpford are being asked for their input into a £7,000 scheme aimed at shaping the future of the parish.

Work is under way on a Neighbourhood Plan for the two villages, which will serve as a blueprint for development in the area.

The project is being led by a group of residents and supported by the parish council - but in order to take the plan forward, villagers are being asked to lend a hand.

Emma Coppell, chairman of the parish’s Neighbourhood Plan committee, said: “We need volunteers who want to roll up their sleeves and get stuck in, but we also need the community to let us know what they think. If the community doesn’t use its voice now, we may be stuck with outcomes that have been decided for us rather than by us. Whether you want to take a formal role, attend the odd meeting, or provide feedback, via our Facebook page or via email, we want to hear from you.”

The completed document will act as planning policy for the parish, compiling local views on where new development should be located. District council planning bosses and decision-makers will be legally obliged to take the finished document into account when considering future applications.

It would also enable the community to have an input on the style of new homes that are built, as well as dictating where new parks and public areas should go.

The next meeting of the Neighbourhood Plan group takes place on Monday (February 16).

For more information on how to get involved with the plan, or if you wish to attend Monday’s meeting, contact David Zirker, who will confirm the venue of the talks, on 01395 567430 or email nph-nplan@outlook.com.

Have your say on parish plan - News - Devon 24
Newton Poppleford and Harpford Neighbourhood Plan | East Devon Watch
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Planning decisions in East Devon: failures to comply with planning conditions... more retirement flats rather than affordable housing... inconsistencies in the planning process

What seems to be happening across East Devon is indeed what was predicted recently:
Futures Forum: Identifying housing 'need' in East Devon: "Floodgates are open for developers"
Futures Forum: 106 payments and the NPPF... the repercussions for East Devon

In Feniton, developers seem to be overreaching themselves:

Developer must install tanks to stop flood water in Feniton

By Western Morning News  |  Posted: October 15, 2014

An inquiry was held at Exeter airport this year after developers targeted the area with plans to increase the built size of the village by 40%. Three out of four appeals were dismissed after the ten-day hearing.A developer has been ordered to install tanks to catch surface water in a Devon village beset by flooding. East Devon District Council has served an enforcement notice on Wainhomes for failing to comply with a planning condition for its 50-home scheme in Feniton, which was approved on appeal in 2012.

District councillor Susie Bond said the condition was “critical” and capturing run-off would make for a 10% improvement. “In other words, the tanks would mitigate the effects of concreting over a greenfield site and give a marginal improvement on the amount of surface water which comes down from the development into the rest of the village,” she added.

Developer must install tanks to stop flood water in Feniton | Western Morning News
East Devon District Council responds to Wainhomes | Susie Bond
Wain Homes, Feniton: when does “50 houses” become 55? When it’s in Rockbeare – whoops! | East Devon Alliance
Some links that Wainhomes would probably prefer you not to click on! | East Devon Alliance

And meanwhile, in Seaton, promises to build affordable housing are being reneged on:

Tesco says it will sell Seaton ‘hotel site’ for flats

By Exeter Express and Echo  |  Posted: October 28, 2014

In May, developer McCarthy & Stone held an exhibition in the town of plans for 43 retirement homes on the regeneration site in Harbour Road owned by Tesco. No plans have as yet been submitted.TESCO has confirmed that is has an agreement with a developer that if it secures planning permission for retirement flats on its land in Seaton it will sell them the land.

But a petition with 900 names has recently been presented to East Devon District Council by Seaton residents against potential plans for retirement flats. The signatories of the petition believe a hotel is much needed in the town, which is the subject of extensive regeneration, instead.

The prospect of flats is a second blow connected to the regeneration site – last August Tesco first reduced its offer of 40 per cent affordable housing at the site to 25 per cent, then withdrew it completely.

Tesco says it will sell Seaton ‘hotel site’ for flats | Exeter Express and Echo
Tesco selling Seaton hotel site to retirement developer McCarthy & Stone | East Devon Alliance

And in Newton Poppleford, things look very confusing:

NEWTON POPPLEFORD PLANNING DECISIONS “CONTRADICTORY”

October 29, 2014

Yes, most of us have realised that. Why was it ok for one developer and not for another?

Of course, a re-convening of the EDDC wokring group that was supposed to look into the relationship between the council and the East Devon Business Forum might well have answered such questions ….. yet another reason why it remains in the long grass …

Newton Poppleford planning decisions “contradictory” | East Devon Alliance


East Devon planning decisions ‘contradictory’

By Exeter Express and Echo | Posted: October 29, 2014

AN East Devon heritage society has written to a Government committee raising concerns that East Devon District Council has used Government guidelines to approve one development in a rural village but oppose another in a “contradictory” approach.

The Otter Valley Association, Natural England, the East Devon branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England and the parish council have all objected to plans for 26 homes at land off Orchard Close in Newton Poppleford.

The plans are a resubmission of a scheme for 46 homes at the same site described as land off Badger Close. The development management committee rejected these original plans and a planning inspector subsequently rejected an appeal of the committee’s decision on appeal in June.

In the council’s emerging Local Plan, the village, which lies within the East Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, has been allocated 40 homes. This quota has already been fulfilled as a 40-home development on land off King Alfred Way was approved last year.

The OVA is concerned that the “inconsistencies” in the planning department’s approach towards the two previous schemes, highlighted by the inspector at the Badger Close appeal hearing, may be repeated when considering of the Orchard Close scheme. In a written submission to the council opposing the development, the OVA has accused planning officers in interpreting the Government’s National Planning Policy Framework, which has a presumption in favour of sustainable development and which must be adhered to in the absence of a Local Plan, in different ways when dealing with the previous two applications for the village.

In his evidence regarding the Badger Close development, the Government inspector said that whereas the council has recognised that the village should only accommodate a limited scale of development in line with NPPF guidelines, the council’s stance appeared to be “at odds” with its recent decision to approve the King Alfred Way development where the council had argued differently. The inspector concluded that the council could not demonstrate that the village was in an unsustainable location for development, however concluded that the appeal site did not represent a sustainable location for the proposed development due to its poor access to the village centre.

The inspector confirmed that the NPPF states that “great weight” should be given to conserving landscapes in AONBs and concluded that the Badger Close scheme would adversely impact on its location within the AONB. But he noted that the council had taken a different view on the impact on the AONB for the King Alfred Way development in that it would not impact on the AONB.

The group say the Orchard Close plans are very similar and questioned the integrity of the planning process. Nicola Daniel, OVA member, said: “For people to have confidence in the planning system, there needs to be a consistent approach.”

Natural England has requested that a Habitats Regulations Assessment is completed due to its close proximity to several protected areas which the development could have “significant effects” on.

A council spokesperson, said: “Each application is considered on its merits, in line with current planning policy. The OVA viewpoint will be taken into consideration along with any other comments made as a result of the consultation.”

East Devon planning decisions ‘contradictory’ | Exeter Express and Echo
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Knowle relocation project: and the longer-term demise of district councils... part five... East Devon District Council "will imminently have no alternative whatsoever than to integrate anyway."

The notion that district councils will be no more is gathering momentum:
Futures Forum: Knowle relocation project: and the longer-term demise of district councils... part four... IT services and "Another fat little privatisation through the back door approaching?"

Back in the late 2000s there were very strong moves afoot to abolish this tier of local government:
BBC NEWS | England | Tyne | District councils to be abolished
‘All local government should be abolished’ » The Spectator
44 district councils to be abolished - FT.com

There were attempts at the time to abolish East Devon and other Devon district councils:
boundary commission, unitary, devon ¦ this is north devon | North Devon Journal
Devon unitary plans | Appeal Court ruling | Boundary Committee | Western Morning News | West Briton

These were vigorously fought - on the grounds that there had not been enough 'consultation';

East Devon's legal team, advised by top QC Andrew Arden, says the consultation process carried out by the committee was flawed and the financial and other implications of such a fundamental change to local government in the county have not been considered thoroughly enough.

High Court go-ahead for EDDC unitary challenge - News - Sidmouth Herald

District Council lawyers were allowed to appeal - on the grounds of 'affordability' and spending 'even before any final decision has been made':

District lawyers go to the High Court

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

LAWYERS for East Devon District Council go to the High Court tomorrow (December 19) - in the first stage of challenging proposals to abolish Devon's district councils and replace them with a 'super council'.

Radical proposals by the Boundary Commission call for East Devon District Council and seven other local authorities' to be scrapped, leaving just three unitary authorities; Plymouth, Torbay and one to cover the rest of Devon - but EDDC are challenging the move.

They say the plans are not legal because they do not address affordability - one of the five key criteria referred to in Exeter's failed bid for self determination last year- and their refusal to consider a 'two-tier' option.

However last week a judge ruled against a similar case against councils in Norfolk that had stark similarities and worrying overtones for East Devon.
The legal challenge could run into a six figure sum, and the judge ordered the councils to pay three-quarters of the legal costs incurred by the Boundary Committee as well as their own fees, adding to the spiralling multi-million pound bill even before any final decision has been made.

The Secretary of State at the Department of Communities and Local Government, Hazel Blears, announced last week that the date when the Boundary Committee should provide her with its final recommendation was now February 13 2009 - six weeks later than previously scheduled.

A spokesman for the district council said: "The outcome of the Council's application for a Judicial Review into proposals for a Unitary Devon should be announced after the Christmas holiday." She is expected make her decision on the future of local government in Devon towards the end of March 2009.

District lawyers go to the High Court - News - Exmouth Journal

Interestingly, the final judgement agreed that there had not been enough 'consultation' - and that the proposals for a unitary authority could increase 'remoteness':

In a ruling handed down today (Thursday 8 January), Mr Justice Cranston:
Found the Boundary Committee had 'misdirected itself' at the very start of the review process
- Felt it did not consult properly on alternatives to its single unitary proposal
- Believed it could also have done better when consulting on affordability
- Agreed that EDDC concerns about democratic remoteness were valid
- Advised that accountants must spend more time on the overall financial impact of any change
- Accepted that this might mean a further period of consultation was necessary
- But the judge also stated that EDDC's challenge was "premature" - suggesting that the Council should have waited longer before challenging the Boundary Committee's actions.

Judgement’s mixed messages’ on Unitary Devon proposal- EDDC - News - Sidmouth Herald

In the end, the judgement meant that the whole project was 'extended indefinitely' - and then the 2010 elections intervened, putting a stop to these proposals:
EDDC leader demands Government put stop to Devon's unitary proposals - News - Sidmouth Herald
Devon unitary status advice delayed - News - Sidmouth Herald

There was indeed substantial disquiet from the public about these proposals:
Residents say no to unitary status - News - Sidmouth Herald

Although the Chambers of Commerce were very much in favour of abolition:
County Council welcomes East Devon businesses' support for Unitary Devon Council - News - Sidmouth Herald

A letter was sent to the press from the Vision Group:

Unitary proposal - democracy is paramount

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Madam - The Vision Group for Sidmouth has been seeking clarity on the specific powers that are to be transferred to the proposed unitary authority and the specific powers to be devolved to the proposed town boards. Our submission to the Boundary Commission is given below.

In the absence of such information, we cannot endorse any of the proposals on offer but can only insist that, whatever the outcome of the reorganisation, it must ensure the empowerment of local democracy.

Over the past few months the Vision Group for Sidmouth has researched the issues carefully and attended all consultative meetings. We have consulted all our 100+ members and discussed the issue in detail at three meetings attended by up to 40 participants.

We understand that the status quo is not an option. However, we recognise that the abolition of the EDDC as a significant local employer could have a damaging effect on the local economy.

As a non-party-political organisation, the Vision Group will continue to work with whatever government authorities are to be established, in order to maintain the unique character of our town and to promote its sustainable development.

Robert Crick

Chairman, Vision Group for Sidmouth.

Unitary proposal - democracy is paramount - Letters - Sidmouth Herald

And interestingly, the District Council was very keen for these voices to be heard:
Unitary Devon- EDDC wants residents to have a say - News - Sidmouth Herald

Then, in 2012, the proposal surfaced again:
No stone unturned: in pursuit of growth - Lord Heseltine review - Publications - GOV.UK

The effect was felt across the country:
Poll: New report by Michael Heseltine re-ignites debate over possible home rule for Norfolk and Suffolk - Politics - Eastern Daily Press - Mobile

The Town Council in Sidmouth responded accordingly:

Call to put council move on hold

By Exeter Express and Echo | Posted: November 22, 2012

THE chairman of Sidmouth Town Council has proposed that East Devon District Council should consider putting its relocation plans on hold.

Cllr Stuart Hughes put forward a motion which states: "In light of the recommendations to abolish district authorities in Michael Heseltine's No Stone Unturned report, this council should put on hold its relocation plans until Government has ruled on the recommendations."

The district council's proposals to relocate from Sidmouth to Honiton have proved very controversial with Sidmouth residents and those throughout the wider district.

The council have said that it is the intention for the move to be cost neutral. It plans to redevelop its current headquarters at Knowle, Sidmouth.

Call to put council move on hold | Exeter Express and Echo

And at the District Council in East Devon, questions were raised about the viability of relocating from Knowle:

New move to shelve Knowle sale plan

Dave Beasley Friday, November 23, 2012

Two district councillors are urging that proposals to move the authority’s HQ are put on hold because of proposals that could lead to the abolition of the district council.

Former Tory deputy prime minister Michael Heseltine has penned a 230-page report suggesting how to boost Britain’s flatlining economy. In ‘No Stone Unturned’ Lord Heseltine says that district council’s should be abolished in favour of unitary authorities.

The idea comes just two years after East Devon District Council (EDDC) spent £400,000 on a legal challenge against similar proposals by the then Labour government.

Councillors Stuart Hughes and Graham Troman feel proposals for EDDC to leave Sidmouth for Honiton - and subsequently sell Knowle for redevelopment - should be suspended until Whitehall has ruled on his recommendations.

Cllr Hughes this week tabled a notice of motion to that affect, seconded by Cllr Troman. Both want the request to be given consideration at EDDC’s next full meeting on December 5.

“We’ll be flying in the face of the council tax payers of East Devon to continue this (relocation) process,” said Mr Hughes. “Why spend all this money in times of austerity, ploughing ahead with something that might not happen, when you could find district authorities will be abolished?”

Mr Troman added: “At the next full council meeting I will second a motion to put on hold the proposed new council offices until the future is more certain. If, in the future, the land at Knowle is put on the open market, we should look at a community right to buy option.”

Lord Heseltine’s 230-page government-commissioned report outlines 89 recommendations to kick start the economy by reforming local government, business, education and Whitehall. Among them is to put more power into councillors’ hands. He says the system of English local government is “overly complex, inefficient” and “not suited to the demands of the 21st century”.

He argues the multi-tiered nature of the English system makes it difficult to exploit economic opportunities and calls for the Government to combine all two-tier authorities so that all services, currently divided between county and district councils, would be provided by one. He says unitary authorities run at considerably lower cost and provide “greater clarity and accountability about where responsibilities lie”.

New move to shelve Knowle sale plan - News - Exmouth Journal
www.eastdevon.gov.uk/council_mins_051212.pdf

... which brings us back to square one and the latest debate on the future of local government:
Futures Forum: Knowle relocation project: and the longer-term demise of district councils...

Now, in an 'extraordinary revelation', Cllr Ken Potter has told Newton Poppleford parish council that he has been told by central government that district councils will not be around for much longer:

“NO DISTRICT COUNCILS IN TEN YEAR’S TIME”

September 30th 2014

An extraordinary revelation by Cllr Ken Potter at last night’s Newton Pop parish council meeting.

He said in his report that he attended a recent meeting of the Local Government Association to discuss the future of post offices.

The meeting was addressed by a minister who predicted that within ten years “there would not be a single free-standing district council left”.

Several astonished members of the public tried to ask why, then, was EDDC planning to spend many millions building a new HQ, but the Chair moved on to discuss Himalayan balsam in the Otter.

4 thoughts on ““No District Councils in Ten Year’s Time””

Paul says:
September 30, 2014 at 10:59 am

Q: “Why, then, is EDDC planning to spend many millions building a new HQ?”

Please add your own answers here, with a small prize for the most humorous, ironic or potentially truthful one.

Rory Jones says:
September 30, 2014 at 5:00 pm

In answer to Paul,

A: Because they are too ashamed to admit that between 2007-2011 they spent a king’s ransom of our money fighting being integrated into a Unitary Devon – purely to protect their own political skins and the jobs of the senior officers.

And now they’ve realised that with the economic downturn (which was ALREADY HAPPENING back then) they will imminently have no alternative whatsoever than to integrate anyway. Only now they are doing it in an underhand way, without a mandate, and defying the Information Commissioner.

Graham says:
September 30, 2014 at 5:08 pm

Is EDDC facing dissolution?
Strange how senior officers job share with South Somerset while it’s IT service is linked up with Teignbridge and Exeter.
Will there be anything left in the district after the council builds a new HQ in Greater Exeter?
As the district council is so evidently failing surely the simplest way to save public expenditure is to remove the triple layer of local bureaucracy by dissolving EDDC.
In which case why is the ED ratepayer expected to underwrite the vanity HQ project when EDDC has lost the trust of the residents and is vanishing before our very eyes?
What are we paying for – surely a case of the king’s new clothes if ever there was one.
Graham Sidmouth

Diana N says:
September 30, 2014 at 6:21 pm

Perhaps it’s on their “One Hundred things to do before you die list” After all, there is no accounting for other peoples’ quirky aspirations!

“No District Councils in Ten Year’s Time” | East Devon Alliance
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The solution to East Devon's housing crisis? Build on the green belt

Everywhere in the UK, house prices are rising - as is pressure to build more housing:
Futures Forum: "House prices in Britain are around 30% too high" >> "The solution to the UK housing crisis? Build on the green belt"

In East Devon, too, there is growing pressure to build, 
whether at the western end of the District:
Futures Forum: "The new build for the western growth area of the district will provide much-needed business and employment for the young families as they set up new homes."
or in village of Feniton:
Futures Forum: Feniton, development and scaremongering
Futures Forum: “The village of Feniton has been targeted by speculators seeking housing developments” - but the Inspector has now rejected most of these...
or between Seaton and Colyford:
Futures Forum: Green Belts: the Seaton-Colyford 'green wedge'
Futures Forum: Green Belts: the Seaton-Colyford 'green wedge'... "The shortfall in housing land supply is not so severe..."

Developers have made their intentions very clear:
‘Let us build on your green belt’ - News - Sidmouth Herald
Developer targets Sidmouth’s green belt - News - Sidmouth Herald

The pressure continues:


LYME REGIS: Plans for 350 homes on outskirts of town
MEETING HOUSING NEEDS OF LYME AND UPLYME SAY DEVELOPERS

by Philip Evans 30th April 2014

PLANS for 350 new homes on the outskirts of Lyme Regis have been unveiled.

A development company, Hallam Land Management Limited (HML), staged an exhibition of provisional plans for the development on agricultural land adjacent to Sidmouth Road, in the parish of Uplyme, owned by landowner and farmer George Allhusen of nearby Pinhay House.

Plans have yet to go before East Devon Council, but the Bristol-based firm contends that the development of family homes will meet the foreseeable housing needs for both Lyme and Uplyme.

The 42-acre site runs alongside the A3052 from Stile Lane to Gore Lane, taking in the existing Sidmouth Road park and ride which would be resited if planning approval was obtained.

The plans, unveiled at a public exhibition in the Woodmead Halls on Thursday of last week, included a vehicular access from Sidmouth Road, provision for sports pitches, an open space, a new woodland and allotments.

No consultation

The exhibition attracted a great deal of interest with councillors from East Devon, including district council leader Paul Diviani and local member Ian Thomas, and councillors from West Dorset District Council, Lyme Regis Town Council and Uplyme Parish Council, some of whom were angry that they had not been consulted before, in attendance.

The site is within an area of outstanding natural beauty but outside the settlement boundary in East Devon District Council’s Local Plan, which is currently under review. The development would accommodate up to 350 new homes. Whilst the exact mix of housing would be determined at the detailed design stage, it is anticipated this will comprise a variety of one to five bedroom homes which could include starter homes, family homes and retirement living.

The development will also include a proportion of affordable housing, say the developers.

A statement from HLM said: “It is anticipated that the detailed design of new homes and buildings will embrace local character which will help the development relate to its setting. The guiding principle will be to deliver a residential environment of attractive well-designed homes, streets and green space to create an enduring and desirable place in which to live.”

On the question of the impact additional traffic generated by the development might have, the developers said an assessment had concluded that whilst there would be an inevitable increase in traffic, the local network could accommodate this increase and “no significant adverse effects will occur”

Full details of the application have been published on the Trinity Matters website of Councillor Ian Thomas, district councillor for the Trinity Ward which includes Uplyme and nearby Compyne Rousdon.

View From Online - News from West Dorset, East Devon & South Somerset

And for Ottery St Mary:


Homes planned for allotment site

Early Redrow plans on how a development on the allotment field could look. The proposed site for new plots is on the right.

Harvey Gavin Wednesday, May 14, 2014

A developer has revealed proposals for a new housing scheme on Ottery’s allotments.

Provisional drawings being used by Redrow, who are in the process of building 130 homes in the north of the town, show an extension of their Butts Road development on to the allotment field with an additional 33 houses.

The developer owns the allotment land and leases it back to the town, and, in December, civic leaders met with the Redrow to discuss a renewal of the lease which expires at the end of 2014.

But during the talks, Redrow expressed an interest in building on the land, and last week, representatives from the developer met with the mayor and members of the allotment committee to discuss early plans for replacement plots on land adjacent to the current field.

“We looked at the plan and suggested some things that we’d like changed,” said Carl Richmond, allotment committee chairman. “But it is at an early stage at the moment. We just hope that if they do build there, there will be an agreement for new allotments.”

He added that the developer had invited them to visit Budleigh Salterton in the coming weeks to see first-hand an example of new allotments that have been provided as part of a housing development.

Although no formal application has been made, Lee Hawker, land director for Redrow South West, has previously said that any proposal from the developer would come with the condition that the same number of plots be provided elsewhere. He also said that they would be willing to gift the new field to the town - which could safeguard the site for the future.

Any application submitted by the developer would have to be considered by Ottery Town Council before a decision is made by East Devon District Council.

Homes planned for allotment site - News - Sidmouth Herald

This application for Newton Poppleford was passed last Thursday by the District's planning committee:


Newton Pop homes plan recommended for approval

Newton Poppleford area for proposed development of 40 houses. 

Picture by Alex Walton. 

Harvey Gavin Tuesday, May 6, 2014

A controversial development of 40 new homes in Newton Poppleford looks set to be given the go-ahead for the second time - just weeks after a legal challenge by campaigners had the original application overturned.

East Devon District Council (EDDC) planning officers have recommended that a re-submitted application for land south of King Alfred Way be approved.

Permission was originally granted for the scheme, which includes a new doctors’ surgery and 40 per cent ‘affordable’ housing, by EDDC in September last year.

But following the threat of High Court action by village residents, the authority agreed to overturn the decision – acknowledging that too much weight had been given to the promise of the health centre when considering the proposal.

Newton Poppleford has been allocated 40 new homes in the emerging East Devon Local Plan - a blueprint for development in the region until 2026 - and if approved, the scheme could fill the village’s quota in one go. The application will be considered by EDDC’s planning committee on May 8.

Newton Pop homes plan recommended for approval - News - Sidmouth Herald

See also:
Futures Forum: Greenfield and Brownfield
Futures Forum: Greenfield vs Brownfield: part two
Futures Forum: The NPPF under pressure: building houses on green space
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Allotments in East Devon

Local authorities have obligations to provide allotments:

Allotments and the law

Allot More Allotments

and indeed, any group of six can ask for more:

Councils STATUTORY OBLIGATION To Provide Allotments | The Secret People

The District Council itself has conceded the number of allotments it should be providing:

The English Allotment Survey (1997) remains the most up to date national guidance on the amount of allotments required per population. This states that in Devon, there should be 12 plots/1000 population. 

www.eastdevon.gov.uk/lp-openspacestudyfinalreport.pdf

... which amounts to about 1600 allotments, according to the District's population of about 135,000. 

Futures Forum: East Devon's population

In its various draft Local Plans over the last years, the District Council has conceded there is a need for more allotments: 

http://www.eastdevon.gov.uk/gen018-issuesandoptionsreportanalysisofresponses2009.pdf

However, the District Council admits that it has a very limited number of allotments on its books: 

https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/allotments_and_waiting_lists_83

East Devon District Council only administers allotments in Sidmouth.

There are 3 sites in the town:-
Lawn Vista
Lymebourne Lane.
Peaslands (West Park Road)

These allotments are non-statutory, or temporary, and are not covered by the Allotments Acts 1908 - 1950.

Most other allotments in East Devon are managed by town or parish councils. Please visit the Parish and Town Councils page to view the contact details.

East Devon District Council - Allotments

Councils are able to state that they need more time to find land:

Councils exploit legal loophole to get out of providing allotments
Councils are exploiting a legal loophole to escape their obligation to provide allotments, according to campaigners who claim almost 200,000 gardeners are stuck on waiting lists.

By Louise Gray, Environment Correspondent  22 May 2010

The rising cost of food and trend towards healthier eating has led to a sharp increase in the number of people keen to grown their own fruit and vegetables.

Celebrity chefs like Jamie Oliver are encouraging the trend and at Chelsea Flower Show next week grow-your-own will be a major theme once again.

However recent figures show people in some areas are forced to wait up to 40 years for an allotment.

The National Society of Allotment and Leisure Gardeners (NSALG) estimate that across the country more than 180,000 keen amateur gardeners have been left without a plot. The campaign group claim that councils are using a loophole in century-old law to get out of their statutory duty to provide land for allotments.

Under the 1908 Allotments and Small Holdings Act councils have a duty to provide land if six people or more request an allotment. Should none be available the authorities are required to force private landowners to free up space.

But Donna McDaid of NSALG said there is no time limit on how long councils can claim they are actively "looking for land" and some say they have searching for up to eight years. She said this preventing campaigners from using the law to force councils to provide allotments because officials claim they are still looking for an appropriate site. "If people are asking for allotments then councils have to look for land, but a lot are just saying they are looking and we can do nothing about it because there is no time frame," she said. "I think they are probably exploiting a legal loophole."

Mrs McDaid said councils manage to find land for other services like swimming pools. She said councils do not need planning permission to convert agricultural land to allotments. She also said councils can compulsorily rent land if it is needed and pointed out that that central Government is currently urging councils to use derelict land, building sites and even car parks to provide allotments. She said that the NSALG will take legal action against any councils that refuse to provide land and are considering if there is any way to prove a council is dragging its heels. "We would consider taking action if the local authority does not adhere to the legislation," she said.

The Local Government Association said councils are taking action wherever possible to provide land for allotments.

Councils exploit legal loophole to get out of providing allotments - Telegraph

Back in March 2009, the Vision Group petitioned the District Council - but to little effect:

Sites for Sidmouth allotments sought by Vision Group - News - Sidmouth Herald

The Honiton Allotment Association put together a high-profile petition in April 2012: 

Celebrity signs petition for allotments in Honiton - News - Midweek Herald

The Vision Group helped to raise some funds for the children’s allotment at the Stowford Rise community centre in September 2011 - although this land had  been set aside by the developer as part of its planning application obligations: 
Growing success - Letters - Sidmouth Herald

Meanwhile, there have been several Freedom of Information Requests over the years:

Allotment waiting lists - a Freedom of Information request to East Devon District Council - WhatDoTheyKnow

Waiting lists for allotments - a Freedom of Information request to East Devon District Council - WhatDoTheyKnow

Allotments and waiting lists - a Freedom of Information request to East Devon District Council - WhatDoTheyKnow

Allotment costs - a Freedom of Information request to East Devon District Council - WhatDoTheyKnow

A problem is that local authorities are under pressure to build housing – and allotments often occupy prime building land...

For example in Seaton: 

There was some support for rounding off the north west of the town, and houses could be built on allotments, which would be re-sited further out of town. 

http://www.eastdevon.gov.uk/ldfp_agenda_170608.pdf

And in Budleigh Salterton: 

An outline planning application has been submitted by Clinton Devon Estates, who propose to build up to 50 homes on allotments at Greenway Lane

Budleigh: new allotment plans revealed - News - Exmouth Journal

A comment from the CPRE, amongst others: 

Allotments are popular and useful. Some landowners put in hard standing, water, and electric light. Later, one might see an application for housing. This type of creeping development is to be avoided, and needs a policy.

http://www.eastdevon.gov.uk/plg-lp-pa-comments_by_postcode.pdf

In Sidmouth allotments will be getting fewer – the allotments just off Peaslands Rd, for example, will eventually be taken over by the cemetery...

In Newton Poppleford, though, there’s been a successful project to reclaim land: 
Unkempt wasteland transformed into allotments for less mobile gardeners | Exeter Express and Echo
Wasteland is transformed into allotments | Exeter Express and Echo

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Neighbourhood Plan @ Newton Poppleford this evening: Monday 11th November 8pm

The Parish Council of Newton Poppleford and Harpford is leading the process for putting together a Neighbourhood Plan:

Next Meeting:
11th November 2013,
NP Hall

This meeting is an open meeting for all, to discuss whether we should create a Neighbourhood Plan for the our Parish. Something the government is very keen communities should do.

Neighbourhood Plan

An open meeting to consider the preparation of a Neighbourhood Plan for this parish will be held on
Monday 11th November at 8.00pm in NP Village Hall,

Chaired by Cllr Mark Sanders

Newton Poppleford & Harpford Parish Council - Welcome

A Parish Plan already exists:
Newton Poppleford & Harpford Parish Council - Parish Plan
Newton Poppleford & Harpford Parish Council - Parish Plan

The question is whether a Neighbourhood Plan would have had some influence on the recent controversial planning decisions in the village:

Because Newton Poppleford Parish Council decided against having a ‘neighbourhood plan’, the development management committee decided that ‘first developer past the post gets all 40 houses’ in direct opposition to residents’ objections.
Planning pain - Letters - Sidmouth Herald 

However, there has been consideration of this type of Plan for sometime - as with comments from the village's District Councillor in late 2011:

To make life even more interesting Newton Poppleford and Harpford is preparing its own Neighbourhood Plan. You will recall that, in 2010, you completed a questionnaire about the community and its infrastructure. The response has been analysed professionally and, I understand, the Steering Group will be presenting a first draft of the results to the Parish Council sometime in the New Year. Neighbourhood Plans will carry considerable weight in the future. 

www.newtonpopplefordpc.co.uk/Core/Newton-Poppleford-Harpford-Parish-Council/UserFiles/Files/PARISH11Dec.pdf

The Parish Clerk drew up some principles late last year:

Neighbourhood Plan Principles 

The Working Party produced a set of principles to guide the location of new housing development within the parish during the plan period and ensured that these were robust enough to continue for the foreseeable future. 

0 Newton Poppleford as a living village. This means (as stated in Parish plan) new housing for villagers in a cross section of sizes and types with further scope for villagers to work locally. 

0 New housing built as part of the existing village. Developments should not extend the existing village and not be in other places within the parish dislocated from existing housing and amenities. 

0 Good access to community facilities and ready access to public transport. Newton Poppleford needs new housing built where residents can access community facilities and transport (bus) and reach the A3052.

www.eastdevon.gov.uk/lp-pcfeedbacknpop.pdf

Meanwhile, other towns and villages in the District are initiating this process, including Beer:
Beer Parish Council - Home
East Devon District Council - Beer Neighbourhood Plan

And Lympstone:
Lympstone Village Website » Lympstone Neighbourhood Plan
Lympstone Village Website » Lympstone Neighbourhood Plan Documents
East Devon District Council - Lympstone Neighbourhood Plan

With an impressive list and assistance from the District Council:
East Devon District Council - Neighbourhood Plans

See also: Futures Forum: Does not having a new Local Plan or Land Supply in place leave East Devon vulnerable to development?
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