Mid Devon Local Development Scheme

Contents 1. Introduction 2. Outline of the new system 3. Background and external influences 4. Saved Development Plan Documents 5. New Development Plan Documents 6. Supplementary Planning Documents 7. Resources 8. Review

1 1. Introduction 1.1 The Local Development Scheme provides interested people and organisations with the Council’s project plan for the preparation of Local Development Documents. It describes the current planning documents relevant to the area, and indicates how and when these are expected to be reviewed, updated and replaced. 1.2 The forward planning process is undergoing change, arising from the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004. A description of the new system is set out in the next section. 1.3 As the planning process is changing, this Local Development Scheme provides for a transition from one process to another. This involves “saving” the existing policy documents such as the Mid Devon Local Plan First Alteration and the Devon Structure Plan, and then indicating how they will be replaced in the ensuing years. The Council will be replacing the district wide Local Plan, once that is adopted in 2006, with a series of Local Development Documents which together make up the Local Development Framework for the area. At the same time, the Structure Plan for Devon will be replaced by a new Regional Spatial Strategy prepared by the Regional Planning Body (currently the Regional Assembly). It is expected that the whole changeover process will be completed by 2011. 1.4 Note that a small area of Dartmoor National Park is contained within Mid Devon, for which the National Park Authority is the planning authority. Accordingly, no documents contained within this LDF apply to that small area.

2 2. Outline of the new system 2.1 This section outlines the new development planning system, in order to help people to understand the implications of the proposals contained within this Local Development Scheme. 2.2 The means by which planning policies in an area will be expressed is through a portfolio of separate but linked planning documents known as a Local Development Framework. This will replace the contents of the Local Plan. 2.3 The Local Development Framework (LDF) will include a Core Strategy, setting out general objectives, policies and targets for the area. It will also include a number of other Development Plan Documents (DPDs) which each cover a particular subject, settlement or area, and provide more detailed guidance than the Core Strategy. The two other documents which must be contained within the LDF are the Local Development Scheme (LDS) ie this document, and the Statement of Community Involvement (SCI). The SCI sets out the consultation and participation methods and procedures for each of the documents within the LDF. Finally, Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs) set out more detail for certain issues and sites where it is considered necessary. 2.4 The diagram below sets out generally how the documents in an LDF interrelate.

Local Development Scheme

Statement of Community Involvement

Core Strategy

Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) 1

Development Plan Document 1 Development Plan Document 2

SPD2 SPD3 SPD4 SPD5

2.5 There are a number of acronyms used within the new system, some of which are explained below.  LDF - Local Development Framework – the bundle of documents (LDDs) which together make up the planning policies for the District.  LDS - Local Development Scheme – this document, setting out the content and timing of LDF preparation.  SCI - Statement of Community Involvement – the policies and procedures for consultation on the LDF and planning applications.  DPD - Development Plan Document – any document contained within the LDF which has primary status for planning applications.  SPD - Supplementary Planning Document – documents within the LDF providing detailed guidance on specific subjects and sites, which are a material planning consideration.

3  LDD - Local Development Document – any document contained within the LDF, including DPDs and SPDs. 2.6 The documents must go through a number of stages from initial evidence gathering and public consultation before they are adopted. In the case of DPDs (including the SCI and Core Strategy) an independent examination is held, after which the Inspector gives a binding recommendation. In the case of SPDs there is no independent examination and the council adopts after considering objections and representations. 2.7 All LDDs with the exception of the SCI must be subject to Sustainability Appraisal and Strategic Environmental Assessment. This is integral to document preparation as a means of assessing their social, environmental and economic effects. It will help to ensure documents are soundly based and contribute to the reasoned justification of policies.

4 3. Background and External Influences 3.1 Mid Devon District Council is a quintessentially rural district. Only three settlements have a population above 3000, being Tiverton (18,400), Cullompton (7,800) and Crediton (6,800). Less than half of the 69,900 population lives in one of these three market towns. With a total area of 914 square kilometres, Mid Devon falls into the "sparsely populated" category of authorities (with a population density of 76 per square km). 3.2 The Mid Devon landscape is characterised by hills and valleys, with little level ground outside the narrow river floodplains. It is extremely attractive, including part of the Blackdown Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and adjoining the Exmoor and Dartmoor National Parks (but see the comment above relating to the Dartmoor National Park). 3.3 The historic environment of Mid Devon is also very rich, with almost 2,500 Listed Buildings, 50 Conservation Areas and 53 Scheduled Monuments within its borders. 3.4 Development levels in Mid Devon are relatively low, to reflect this rural character and the strategy of urban concentration set out in Regional Planning Guidance, with the Adopted Structure Plan setting a target of 390 housing completions per year up to 2016. This represents approximately 9% of Devon's allocation. Much of this will be on allocations already adopted through the Local Plan process, which give priority to previously developed land within and adjoining the three main market towns. The Regional Spatial Strategy has been submitted to the Secretary of State and proposes a lower growth rate of 360 per year up to 2016 and 290 per year from 2016 to 2026. 3.5 The key planning priorities are environmental protection, housing affordability, both in the rural areas and the market towns and measures to promote economic development in all parts of the district. 3.6 The following sections set out the proposed contents of the Local Development Framework.

Simplified Map of Mid Devon District

5 4. Saved Documents Mid Devon Local Plan First Alteration (2011 end date) Expected Adoption Date: July 2006. 4.1 The Mid Devon Local Plan First Alteration has been approved for adoption by the District Council. However, the Government Office have directed that it not be adopted pending a ministerial decision. If no intervention is made, then the plan could be adopted by July 2006. This plan is automatically saved for a period of 3 years from its adoption. Based on an adoption date of July 2006, this would be in July 2009. However, it is not considered feasible to have completely updated and replaced its policy coverage by that date. Based on the resources available to the Council, and the necessary legal requirements for DPD production, overall coverage for Mid Devon can be realistically achieved by 2011. It is clearly important to avoid a “gap” in policy coverage of 3 years. 4.2 The emerging Local Plan was subject to independent examination in 2003/4, and has an end date of 2011. It is based on a clear strategy of concentrating development in the three Area Centres, an approach which aligns with the current Regional Planning Guidance and Structure Plan (which make up the current Regional Spatial Strategy) and the strategy options which are being considered in relation to the emerging RSS. The generic Development Control policies are considered to be “fit for purpose” and therefore their review is not a priority. 4.3 It is therefore necessary and appropriate to save the contents of the plan for a period of 5 years to 2011, within which the relevant parts of the plan will be successively replaced by new DPDs as set out below. The first Local Development Scheme was approved making such a proposal to the Secretary of State, therefore the policies and proposals of the Local Plan will remain part of the Local Development Framework until replaced in accordance with the following timetable.  The Aim and Objectives, Monitoring and Settlement Policies sections within Chapter 1 (Strategy) will be replaced by in the Core Strategy DPD in 2007.  Proposals for development and associated infrastructure within Chapters 6 (Tiverton), 7 (Crediton), 8 (Cullompton) and 9 (Rural Settlements) will be replaced by the Exe, Creedy/Taw and Culm DPDs in 2009.  Other policies of the Local Plan will be replaced by the Development Control Policies DPD in 2011.  The Local Plan Proposals Map will be replaced by the Proposals Map DPD to account for the Exe, Creedy/Taw and Culm DPDs in 2009 and the Development Control Policies DPD in 2011.

Devon Structure Plan (2016 end date) Adoption: October 2004. 4.4 The Structure Plan is saved for a period of three years from its adoption date. It provides a development strategy and gives development levels for the five year period beyond the end date of the adopted Local Plan. It should be replaced by the contents of the RSS within 4 years.

The provision and funding of open space through development SPG 4.5 This Supplementary Planning Guidance is in support of saved policies in the Mid Devon Local Plan First Alteration and is working well to ensure provision and

6 improvement of open space provision in Mid Devon. Its review is not a high priority, and it will continue to be used for development control purposes until it is replaced by a Supplementary Planning Document in 2008. Agricultural worker’s dwellings and Poultry Farming SPG 4.6 This Supplementary Planning Guidance is in support of saved policies in the Mid Devon Local Plan First Alteration and continues to provide appropriate guidance for applications. It is not proposed to be reviewed, and will continue to be used for development control purposes.

7 5. New Development Plan Documents Core Strategy 5.1 Expected Adoption Date: August 2007  This will supersede relevant sections of the Local Plan Strategy Chapter (the Aim and Objectives, Monitoring and Settlement Policies sections).  It will set out a vision and a spatial strategy for the District to cover the period to 2026, including quantities of different types of development required, general scale/locations of development and the role of various settlements. However, site specific allocations for particular uses will not be included. It is expected that this will continue with the Mid Devon Local Plan First Alteration policy of concentrating development in the Area Centres and limiting development in the more rural areas generally to local needs. The comments in the later DPDs are based on this assumption.  A number of evidence sources have been and will be used in the preparation of the Core Strategy. The Mid Devon Local Plan Inspector’s Report makes recommendations many of which have implications beyond the life of that plan. The review of the Regional Spatial Strategy, and the Exeter Sub Regional Study will produce much evidence which will be relevant to the Core Strategy. The recently published Heart of Devon Economic Strategy will form an important input, as will the Market and Coastal Town Initiative Plans for the three main towns. Other Community Appraisals, such as Parish Plans, will be examined for their relevance to the Core Strategy. Examination of travel to work patterns from the 2001 Census and the results of the Retail Study will help to shape the spatial strategy. There will be a need to update the housing needs analysis, and this is likely to be in the form of a sub-regional housing market analysis prepared jointly with other councils and organisations in the Exeter sub-region. Finally, the revised Community Strategy will be taken fully into account to ensure that any spatial implications are reflected in the strategy.  It will include appropriate indicators, targets and monitoring requirements. It will be prepared in parallel with the Statement of Community Involvement, and subject to a joint inquiry (see below). 5.2 Providing a clearer statement of Mid Devon's spatial strategy, and giving guidance on the distribution of development are early priorities and considered essential to the structure of the new system. 5.3 Coverage: district – wide. 5.4 Conformity: General conformity with the Regional Spatial Strategy consisting of Regional Planning Guidance and Devon Structure Plan and having regard to the Mid Devon Local Plan First Alteration. 5.5 The timetable is set out in full on the chart at the end of this section, but the key milestones (with achieved milestones in brackets) are: (September - December 2005 Preferred Options consultation). August 2006 Submission. December 2006 Pre-examination Meeting. February 2007 Examination August 2007 Adoption

8 Statement of Community Involvement 5.6 Expected Adoption Date: August 2007  This document will set out the consultation procedures for each type of document for inclusion in the Local Development Framework.  The timetable is identical to that for the Core Strategy, including joint consultation, submission and examination. 5.7 Coverage: district - wide. 5.8 Conformity: not applicable. 5.9 The timetable is the same as the Core Strategy. Exe Development Plan Document 5.10 Expected Adoption Date: September 2009  Providing appropriate allocations for housing, employment, retail and all other necessary land uses.  Incorporating any traffic, health, education and other infrastructure requirements for the period.  It will replace the allocations contained within the Tiverton chapter and parts of the Rural chapter (within the area set out below) in the Local Plan.  The evidence base will include a review of the Urban Capacity Study (in partnership with the development industry) and a Housing Market Analysis, likely to be prepared jointly with other councils in the Exeter sub-region. Conservation Area Appraisals for a number of the settlements, Parish Plans and the Tiverton Market and Coastal Town Initiatives work will provide important inputs. The Local Plan Inspector’s report will continue to be relevant on site – specific issues. 5.11 The District has been divided into three Area DPDs for the purposes of preparing allocations. Each will be progressed in parallel on the same timetable, to include a joint examination. The Preferred Options stage is timetabled for after the adoption of the Core Strategy. This is the earliest feasible timetable, and will ensure that there is no “gap” in development land availability, whilst ensuring that there is clear guidance on its preparation. 5.12 Coverage: Tiverton and surrounding rural areas. Analysis of travel to work patterns suggests that the following District Council Wards should be within this document: Cadbury, Canonsleigh, Castle, Clare and Shuttern, Cranmore, Halberton, Lowman, Silverton, Westexe North and Westexe South together with the parish of Cruwys Morchard. A general indication of this area is given in the plan included at the end of this section. 5.13 Conformity: with the Core Strategy DPD and Regional Spatial Strategy and having regard to the Mid Devon Local Plan First Alteration. 5.14 The timetable is set out in full on the chart at the end of this section, but the key dates are: March 2006 Commencement. December 2007 Preferred Option consultation. July 2008 Submission. January 2009 Pre – examination Meeting.

9 March 2009 Examination. September 2009 Adoption

Creedy/Taw Development Plan Document 5.15 Expected Adoption Date: September 2009  Providing appropriate allocations for housing, employment, retail and all other necessary land uses.  Incorporating any traffic, health, education and other requirements for the period.  It will replace the allocations contained within the Crediton and part of the Rural chapter (within the area set out below) in the Adopted Local Plan.  The evidence base will include a review of the Urban Capacity Study (in partnership with the development industry) and a Housing Market Analysis likely to be prepared jointly with other councils in the Exeter sub-region. Conservation Area Appraisals for a number of the settlements, Parish Plans and the Crediton Area Market and Coastal Town Initiatives work will provide important inputs. The Local Plan Inspector’s report will continue to be relevant on site – specific issues. The recent Planning for Real Exercise will provide guidance on community aspirations in Crediton. 5.16 The District has been divided into three Area DPDs for the purposes of preparing allocations. Each will be progressed in parallel on the same timetable, to include a joint examination. The Preferred Options stage is timetabled for after the adoption of the Core Strategy. This is the earliest feasible timetable, and will ensure that there is no “gap” in development land availability, whilst ensuring that there is clear guidance on its preparation. 5.17 Coverage: Crediton and the rural areas which surround it. Analysis of travel to work patterns suggests that the following wards should be covered by this document; Boniface, Lawrence, Newbrooke, Sandford and Creedy, Taw, Taw Vale, Upper Yeo and Yeo together with the parishes of Cheriton Fitzpaine and Poughill. A general indication is given in the plan shown at the end of this section. It excludes a small area of Yeo ward, which is within the Dartmoor National Park, and which will therefore be covered by the Dartmoor Local Development Framework to be prepared by the Dartmoor National Park Authority. 5.18 Conformity: with the Core Strategy DPD and Regional Spatial Strategy and having regard to the Mid Devon Local Plan First Alteration. 5.19 The timetable is the same as the Exe DPD.

Culm Development Plan Document 5.20 Expected Adoption Date: September 2009  Providing appropriate allocations for housing, employment, retail and all other necessary land uses.  Incorporating any traffic, health, education and other requirements for the period.  It will replace the allocations contained within the Cullompton and part of the Rural chapter (within the area set out below) in the Adopted Local Plan.

10  The evidence base will include a review of the Urban Capacity Study (in partnership with the development industry) and a Housing Market Analysis likely to be prepared jointly with other councils in the Exeter sub-region. Conservation Area Appraisals for a number of the settlements, Parish Plans and the Cullompton Market and Coastal Town Initiatives work will provide important inputs. The Local Plan Inspector’s report will continue to be relevant on site – specific issues. The recently adopted Blackdown Hills AONB Management Plan and Community Strategy will provide a background to that specific part of the area. 5.21 The District has been divided into three Area DPDs for the purposes of preparing allocations. Each will be progressed in parallel on the same timetable, to include a joint examination. The Preferred Options stage is timetabled for after the adoption of the Core Strategy. This is the earliest feasible timetable, and will ensure that there is no “gap” in development land availability, whilst ensuring that there is clear guidance on its preparation. 5.22 Coverage: Cullompton and the rural areas which surround it. Analysis of travel to work patterns suggests that the following wards should be covered by this document; Bradninch, North, Outer and South Cullompton, Lower Culm and Upper Culm. A general indication is given in the plan shown at the end of this section. 5.23 Conformity: with the Core Strategy DPD and Regional Spatial Strategy and having regard to the Mid Devon Local Plan First Alteration. 5.24 The timetable is the same as the Exe DPD.

Development Control Policies DPD 5.25 Expected adoption date: May 2011.  Providing spatial policies for considering development proposals.  This will replace any development control policies, including area specific and general policies contained within the saved Local Plan. At the adoption of this DPD, all of the saved Local Plan will have been superseded.  The evidence base will include a Landscape Character Assessment, the Retail Study, the AONB Management Plan and Community Plan, the Rural Economy Study, the Renewable Energy study, A Housing Market Analysis and the Community Strategy. Other specific studies and analyses may be undertaken if necessary. 5.26 The Government Office have stated that the Development Control policies within the Local Plan are “fit for purpose” and therefore their review is not a very high priority. Accordingly the preparation of this DPD is later than the Core Strategy and the Area DPDs. 5.27 Coverage: district – wide. 5.28 Conformity: with the Core Strategy DPD, the Exe, Creedy/Taw and Culm DPDs and the Regional Spatial Strategy and having regard to the Mid Devon Local Plan First Alteration. 5.29 Timetable: December 2007 Commencement. October 2009 Preferred Options.

11 April 2010 Submission. September 2010 Pre – examination meeting. November 2010 Examination. May 2011 Adoption.

Proposals Map 5.30 Initial adoption date: 2005  Shows the policies and proposals of all adopted Development Plan Documents applying to Mid Devon, including any saved Local Plans.  When the Mid Devon Local Plan First Alteration is adopted, its Proposals Map will be the up to date version. As the proposals map is required to also show policies and proposals from Waste and Minerals Local Plans (and subsequently Development Plan Documents) it is proposed to incorporate any such relevant notations on the Mid Devon Local Plan Proposals Map when that is adopted. However, at the same time as any subsequent Development Plan Documents are adopted, the Proposals Map will be updated as necessary to illustrate geographically the application of their policies. 5.31 Coverage: District Wide. 5.32 Conformity: All adopted Development Plan Documents and saved Local Plan policies. 5.33 Timing of reviews are dependent on the adoption of other Development Plan Documents.

12 Timetable for Development Plan Documents Year Month Core & Areas* DC Stage Notation Policy SCI 2006 8 Commencement 9 10 Issues and Options 11 12 Preferred Options 2007 1 2 Submission 3 4 Pre Exam Meeting 5 6 Examination 7 8 Adoption 9 10 11 *Creedy/Taw, Culm and 12 Exe. 2008 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 2009 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 2010 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 2011 1 2 3 4 5

13 Approximate boundaries of area Development Plan Documents

14 6. Supplementary Planning Documents 6.1 The following list sets out proposals for the next three years, and will be rolled forward with future reviews of this Local Development Scheme. Meeting Housing Needs July 2005 consultation, December 2006 adoption. 6.2 To be prepared in accordance with the policies of the saved Mid Devon Local Plan. Based on the draft Affordable Housing SPG prepared in 2002, and subsequent consultation responses. Affordable Housing is a key corporate and planning priority of the Council. Consultation on a draft was carried out in July 2005, but adoption currently awaits the national review of housing and planning policies in PPS3. Air Quality Action January 2007 consultation, September 2007 adoption. 6.3 To be prepared in accordance with the saved policies of the Mid Devon Local Plan and the emerging Core Strategy. Crediton and Cullompton have air quality issues and this will set out the role of development in helping to achieve air quality objectives. Mid Devon Design Guide March 2007 consultation, December 2007 adoption. 6.4 To be prepared in accordance with the policies of the saved Mid Devon Local Plan First Alteration. The current Design Guide needs updating in some respects to bring it in line with national and local planning policies. It will take account of the findings of the Landscape Appraisal and will include consideration of the role of local design statements such as those produced for individual villages. The existing Design Guide will continue to be material to many applications in the meantime. Development Guides for allocated sites Expected consultation and adoption dates: 2005 onwards. 6.5 As necessary, to produce site specific guidance for sites allocated in the Saved Local Plan, proposed in any emerging DPD or otherwise in need of detailed guidance. Open Space September 2007 consultation, March 2008 adoption. 6.6 The existing Supplementary Planning Guidance is working successfully, and is in line with emerging Local Plan policies on open space provision (which will be saved in accordance with the proposals of this Local Development Scheme). This SPG will therefore continue to be used for the consideration of planning applications. Once the Core Strategy is adopted, it will be feasible to re-examine policies on open space provision, possibly including additional guidance on design and location. Climate Change January 2008 Consultation, July 2008 adoption. 6.7 The saved Local Plan policy is rather general. The council has commissioned a study on renewable energy potential and this recommends additional policies in the form of SPD to supplement the Local Plan. The Core Strategy proposes policies on climate change which go beyond those in the Local Plan and the SPD will implement those.

15 7. Resources 7.1 The Forward Planning Division of Mid Devon District Council consists of 2.5 full time planning officer equivalents, together with support staff including graphic, administrative and information/monitoring expertise. There is a small budget for survey and related work, which is supplemented by any awards of the Planning Development Grant. 7.2 The timings of the Development Plan Documents have been arranged to even out the workload, minimising peaks and troughs. In particular, DPD examinations and their runs-in are extremely busy and do not allow for other work at the same time.

8. Review 8.1 The Council is required to produce an Annual Monitoring Report by December each year, covering the previous “monitoring year” (running from April to March). Amongst other things this will review the progress towards achieving the timetable set out. Depending on the outcome of this monitoring, it may become necessary to amend the Local Development Scheme, including amending the timings or the number and scope of Local Development Documents.