Plan Teignbridge now in the hands of the Inspectorate
Teignbridge District Council has submitted its 20-year homes, jobs and environment blueprint to an independent Government Inspector.
After years of work with local people, communities, partner organisations and authorities and potential developers, Teignbridge has today (Thursday June 20 2013) submitted its Local Plan – commonly known as Plan Teignbridge – to the inspector for public scrutiny.
The important document – which sets the tone for the long-term economic success of the district - is expected to be the subject of a public examination in October, if not earlier. The Inspector, appointed by the Government, will look at all the evidence and comments before declaring if the Plan is ‘sound’ and fit for adoption.
Plan Teignbridge 2013-2033 sets out a vision to deliver jobs and homes where they are most needed, gives communities a say in how their neighbourhoods are developed and give places even better leisure and recreation opportunities.
The plan will help fulfil communities’ aspirations for the infrastructure they need including schools, play areas and good road links. It aims to do all this while respecting and protecting the unique local environment.
Over the course of its life Plan Teignbridge’s proposals aim to provide:
· At least 12,400 homes across the district covering affordable homes, self build and open market
· 68 hectares of land for employment use
· 11,000m2 of shopping space in Newton Abbot
· More cycle routes and other green transport options
· Improved environment and wildlife habitat protections for bats (including the very rare greater horseshoe bats), dormice and slow worms
· Safeguarding green spaces – known as Undeveloped Coast – between coastal communities
· Increasing and protecting strategic breaks around Abbotskerswell, space between Kingsteignton and Newton Abbot, and Exminster and Exeter
Without an up-to-date plan in place, Teignbridge is vulnerable to unplanned development and may not be able to bring in further much-needed funding.
To get to this stage, Plan Teignbridge went through the biggest public consultation ever carried out across the district. The Council ran 12 drop-in events, took part in over 50 mobile library visits, attended over 30 local meetings and talked to more than 3,000 local residents.
A further six-week consultation period allowed people to make comments on the plan’s 'soundness' directly to the Inspector.
The original submission date, planned for February, was deferred so it could be submitted alongside the Draft Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) document, which sets out the charging schedule for the new levy. CIL is important because it means local authorities can charge on new developments to help fund infrastructure for local communities including roads, parks, employment sites, education and sports and health centres.
The deferral allowed time to resolve outstanding issues on its Habitat Regulations Assessment – a legal requirement for submission – to satisfy further comments from Natural England and for additional discussions Torbay Council under the legal ‘duty to cooperate’ requirements.
All that work has been successfully completed.
A Planning Inspector will now be appointed and will consider the Local Plan, and the same person will act as Examiner for the Community Infrastructure Levy.
Cllr Philip Vogel said:
“We’ve been working with lots of organisations – nationally and locally – alongside community groups and residents to make sure Teignbridge has a plan for the future. Today marks an important point in the plan’s progression.
“We want to make sure people are able to live and work in Teignbridge for many years to come and we want to provide a clear guide for where development can and can’t go.
“This is another step in the right direction towards that goal. We’ve tried to get the balance right and it’s not always been easy, but we think we’ve balanced the conflicting views about the area’s future and its needs, against all the evidence and facts.”
Once appointed, the Inspector/Examiner will organise the hearings into the submitted documents, and all of those who have made formal representations will be notified of the relevant details. There will be at least six weeks’ notice of the opening day of the hearings.
As part of the plan process, Teignbridge has appointed Lisa Edwards to be its Programme Officer. Lisa will act as the independent liaison between the Planning Inspector, the Local Planning Authority and other interested people.
Her email address is programmeofficer@teignbridge.gov.uk and she can be contacted about issues related to the examination.
As with every stage of forming the plan, all documents can be viewed online at www.teignbridge.gov.uk/planteignbridge
