Last week East Devon District Council’s Strategic Planning Committee resolved to stop considering new site allocations for its local plan pending proposed changes to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) that will give councils more potential flexibility regarding housing targets.
The Council had completed the Regulation 18 consultation on the East Devon Draft Local Plan 2020-2040 only last month and we understand that the Council will continue to progress technical work associated on broader themes, such as environmental matters. The government has indicated that the proposed changes to the NPPF are likely to be implemented this Spring, so hopefully this will only present a brief pause in proceedings.
Andy England, Associate Director at Chapman Lily Planning commented: ‘We have been closely monitoring the progress of the East Devon Local Plan and the Council’s 5-year land supply position. In a report to the Council’s Strategic Planning Committee in October 2022 the supply was stated as being less than 5 years at 4.68 years. The decision to stall the plan, at a time when there aren’t sufficient housing sites coming through would seem perverse – albeit not unique to East Devon. Regrettably this is symptomatic of the Government’s planning reforms. We understand that there are now at least nine Councils who have made a similar decision following the consultations on revisions to the NPPF, including Teignbridge and North Somerset.’
For further information on what this might mean for your projects, please contact us.