Opinion: North Devon and Torridge Planning Strategy

This might sound a boring subject, but what is known as the Joint Local Plan, is one of the most important policy documents prepared by our Local Authorities.

It sets the framework for how planning and economic development should be handled. It predicts how many houses we will need for the future. It also considers future requirements for shops, offices, commercial premises and the institutions needed to support this growth such as new schools.

The current plan was prepared to cover the period between 2011 to 2031.

Clearly much can change over such a long period therefore every five years there is a review. The last update was adopted as formal policy in October 2018. The latest review of evidence has just been completed (13.10.23).

This document and what lies behind it represents a comprehensive snapshot of where we need to be.

A good example is the prediction that we will need 17,000 new homes to satisfy the growth of the existing population and to allow for incoming investment.

These figures are critical to ensure that our next generation can get on the housing ladder and to give confidence to all businesses that there is enough housing to support their workforce requirements.

Of course we also know that these figures are only estimates and that market circumstances can distort delivery - a pattern we are currently experiencing with an under supply of new homes and a dramatic shortage of affordable and rental properties.

There is nothing much our local authorities can do faced with these challenging conditions, except to ensure that planning decisions are made as speedily as possible. Government could improve delivery but have so far failed to make even the smallest dent on the problem.

We all need to support this important document. Our local authorities are adopting a creative and realistic approach.

This includes recognising the need to diversify the type of houses being built, recognising that there is a role for community led custom and self build solutions, making full provision for key worker and local employer led housing, considering restricted occupancy with principal residency provisions and recognising the importance of the economy, education, training, training and skills - all potentially good initiatives.

This is an important process which deserves the support of business. This is not ‘them and us’’

It will work if it is a shared endeavour.