7th October 2011

EAST DEVON: East Devon growth in line with local wishes

GROWTH of most towns in East Devon should be broadly in line with the expressed aspirations of each community, members of EDDC’s Local Development Framework (LDF) Panel heard this week.

A draft report based on a review of feedback from the latest consultation exercise and the input from town representatives who spoke at a recent panel meeting, listed likely housing numbers and other growth features for the District’s six major towns.

The bulk of future housing development will be located at the west of the district, at Cranbrook and developments nearby at Pinhoe and Westclyst. It’s proposed that existing town boundaries would continue to be protected by green wedges, which will be discussed in more detail at the next meeting.

The latest figures for homes will be firmed up next week, when a more exact total estimate for housing numbers across the district will also be given, setting out growth forecasts for East Devon over the next 15 years.

Councillors also discussed a detailed response to the Government’s consultation on the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), which will impact on every local authority’s ability to approve or refuse development proposals in years to come.

The panel has now almost completed its comprehensive research into the factors driving growth, before a firm set of Local Plan proposals is drawn up in the autumn. These factors include data on population trends (births, deaths and inward/outward migration) as well as employment growth and land availability.

The LDF Panel’s meeting at EDDC’s Sidmouth headquarters on Tuesday afternoon was the latest in a series designed to produce a planning guidance document running from now to 2026.

A draft ‘towns’ chapter that will form part of the latest EDDC Local Plan went into some detail as to the number of homes each community was likely to see built, along with other elements such as employment provision, road improvements and community facilities.

Axminster

The town is one of the key manufacturing employment centres of East Devon, with some 75,000 square metres of employment floorspace, which accounts for about 12.5 per cent of all of the district’s employment floorspace.

Axminster lies roughly equi-distant (12 to 20 miles) from the major centres of Exeter, Taunton, Yeovil and Dorchester, is served by the Waterloo to Exeter main rail line, and has reasonable road links to other towns and its hinterland. At peak times, trains operate an hourly service to Exeter; however, proposed changes will provide for more frequent (half hourly) services.

Regeneration

The draft policy proposes a larger-scale housing growth to promote and be a catalyst for further commercial activity. There is a focus on town centre regeneration, with recognition of the need for measures to address adverse traffic impacts and also to conserve and enhance the fine built heritage of the town and surrounding countryside. EDDC already has plans in place (a resolution to grant planning permission) for provision of residential, commercial and recreational provision to the north of Cloakham Lawns.

EDDC will also plan for major mixed-use strategic development to the east of the town for up to (and in the longer term potential for more than) 650 new homes to the north and west of the town, to help provide a north-south relief road, but also to increase the critical mass of residents in the town to support the future vitality of Axminster.

Seaton

Seaton is a modest-sized coastal town with a population in 2001 of 6,798. Almost 38 per cent of the population in 2001 was aged 65 or over (compared with the average for England and Wales of 17.3 per cent). Some 34 per cent of the population were in employment, with most working outside the town.

Seaton’s two main functions are as a residential base, popular with retired people and commuters, and as a traditional seaside resort.

Seaton has been affected heavily by the closure of the Lyme Bay Holiday Park. Many jobs within the town are relatively low paid and/or seasonal, notably in the tourist and care industries. The level of commercial services for the resident population (if including the soon-to-open Tesco store) is viewed as adequate to discourage travel to other towns but community facilities (school, health, social, cultural) are seen as borderline or inadequate, with no capacity to serve additional residents.

The town is located within a stunning natural environment, with international and national recognition of its geological, wildlife habitat and landscape quality value and numerous local wildlife designations. The Council’s work on the Axe Wetlands Project has had huge impact, raising the biodiversity value and the public’s understanding and appreciation of this special area.

EDDC will promote Seaton’s role as an important “green” tourist destination on the Jurassic Coast, secure completion of the Regeneration Area and plan for modest longer term growth.

Building homes within existing commitments for the regeneration area and other parts of the town (about 630 in all) will be encouraged, and through future plans we will provide for a further 150 dwellings.

Watersport themes

Harepath Road will form the focus for current and future jobs opportunities in Seaton. Green, educative and watersport themes for tourism will be promoted by the development of sustainable transport routes, (including the Sustrans Cycle Route) learning facilities and a range of new holiday accommodation. Enhancement of the existing fabric and character of the town, including design improvements and expansion of commercial opportunities in waterfront areas will underpin Seaton’s developing role as a year-round holiday destination.

Seaton’s outstanding natural environment is its most precious and defining asset, and policies for the conservation, enhancement and sensitive management of the landscape, heritage and wildlife of the area will be prominent.

EAST DEVON: East Devon growth in line with local wishes

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