East Devon District Council (EDDC) have released an update on the Local Plan after receiving 3,500 comments.

The Draft Local Plan is a council document which outlined the proposed development of homes, community facilities and infrastructure in East Devon until 2040. The draft version of the plan was released last year for consultation. 

Part of the plan includes building a new town somewhere in East Devon as well as building new homes in the fields between Honiton and Gittisham village, the residents of the latter strongly objecting to the plans. 

Consultations 

Several consultations were organised by EDDC to allow members of the public to share their views in person and interested parties were also able to submit a comment online.

Around 2,500 comments were received through online channels and around 1,000 via letters and emails. 

In Honiton, approximately 150 members of the public attended a meeting at The Beehive and the venue was busy with members of the public for the duration of the session.

You can read Nub News' article on the event here. 

Local residents also organised their own meetings to discuss the proposals.

At this stage, EDDC are not providing comments or responses to the feedback obtained during the consultation period. 

Feedback from Honiton residents 

According to the report, many people in Honiton were concerned about the impact of additional housing on infrastructure, in particular primary and secondary and on Honiton's GP surgery, all of which are already at or over capacity. There is no provision in the plan for access to healthcare (including dentistry.)

Other comments and concerns raised included the impact of additional surface water run-off caused by the proposed new houses, questions regarding access to the west side of Honiton and concerns that access to the new homes would be down narrow country lanes, through an existing housing estate or through the industrial estate.

Objections were raised regarding the 'encroachment' of an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), traffic congestion both along the lanes and in the town and the fact that Honiton has 'grown substantially' over recent years and does not need more housing. 

Concerns were also raised about the lack of proper consultation for Gittisham village, which opposes the plans. 

Comments, policy outcomes and findings from the council's report include: 

• Honiton Community College would need to be expanded if the developments were to go ahead
• Devon County Council supports developments in Honiton but suggests some of the second choice or previously rejected sites should be considered first. 
• The Turk's Head junction and the A30/A35 roundabout would need to be reassessed.
• Honiton itself does need more development, including social housing near schools and shops. 
• Honiton's High Street is currently geared towards the older generation, which is not sustainable. A larger and younger population would help support the High Street, improve leisure facilities and increase employment. 
• Bus services need to be improved and protected, especially those which link to the railway. More cycle paths should be encouraged. 
• Honiton needs more economic development land to support the growing population - the Heathfield estate is almost fully occupied. 
• Honiton in general needs improved infrastructure. 
• Dowel Street junction is especially problematic because of the high number of vehicles and the 'illegal air pollution
• A western bypass linking the A373 to the A30 would be beneficial to the town but development must not take place until traffic infrastructure issues are resolved. 

Before any development takes place, the council will carry out a Transport Site Infrastructure Assessment. 

This assessment will consist of a summary of the development sites, a list of facilities, transport modes, access points for the sites and the impact this may have on the local transport network. 

The 500-page report can be viewed here.