Residents in Teignbridge have until Monday to help shape the district’s future by giving their feedback on ideas in the draft local plan.
Consultation closes on Monday 13 July on the plan’s proposals for stronger policies and guidelines to help deliver better and more sustainable development over the next 20 years.
The proposals include tougher policies to fight climate change and support the environment. The plan also tasks developers to provide more genuinely affordable homes and to build properties that suit the needs of the growing elderly population. The proposals seek to support communities and businesses in both countryside and towns, deliver better infrastructure including faster, resilient broadband connections and raise design standards.
The consultation – launched in March – was extended to give more people time to comment in what has been a virtual event reaching more than 50,000 people with more than 3,500 views of the short videos which summarise key issues in each of the main planning areas.
Formal responses so far are nearing 300 which is more than 100 above the last planning consultation. Teignbridge’s Portfolio Holder for Planning, Cllr Gary Taylor said: “I’ve been very encouraged by the number of responses we have received so far and look forward to more being submitted during the last few days of consultation. The more people who respond the more the final plan will reflect what needs to be included to support our communities.”
A ‘Need to Know’ guide which summarises the main issues is available at www.teignbridge.gov.uk/localplanreview together with an on line questionnaire which enables residents to formally respond.
Residents can give their views on different parts of the plan such as the proposals on the economy, the design of homes or the environmental plans and indicate their concerns and support.
Cllr Taylor added that all comments received would be published and that as the draft plan was not set in stone, resident’s views will count. “The planning process provokes strong views on different aspects, some of which lie outside the control of Teignbridge Council. This consultation is not about house numbers or identifying land for development but rather the principles and policies needed to govern future planning applications.
“It is important that people take the time to provide feedback as this will help the Council to reflect the views of residents when the plan is considered by government planning inspectors as part of the approval process.”
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