Have your say on how three Torridge communities develop over the next six years

People living and working in Northam, Appledore and Westward Ho! have been urged to have their say on the vision for the area development of the area into the next decade.

A draft Northam Neighbourhood Plan for the three communities has been prepared by Northam Town Council and has now been put out for public consultation by Torridge District Council (TDC).

It sets out a ‘vision for the evolution and long-term sustainability’ of Northam, Westward Ho! and Appledore and will provide policies to guide development in the area until 2031.

Once adopted, the plan will become part of the area’s Development Plan and will form part of planning policy that must be considered by planning officers and the district council when deciding on new planning applications.

The public consultation opened today (Wednesday, August 13) and will run until 4.45pm on Friday, September 26.

TDC is inviting residents, businesses and local organisations to have their say about the proposed plan, which covers a range of planning issues including housing, green spaces, design and heritage.

It does not cover non-planning issues, or issues that are under the remit of Devon County Council, such as waste and mineral management.

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Councillor Rosemary Lock, TDC lead member for planning and development, said: “Neighbourhood Plans provide opportunities for communities to influence how their area grows and develops.

“Once adopted, they work together with the North Devon and Torridge Local Plan 2011-2031 to provide for sustainable development in Torridge and North Devon.

“It is important that we hear the views from residents and stakeholders to help refine a document that reflects the aspirations of the communities in Northam, Appledore and Westward Ho!.”

Once the consultation period ends, an independent examiner will consider all received comments.

The Northam Neighbourhood Plan will then progress to the next stage where it will be independently examined, after which a local referendum will be held to decide whether to ‘make’ or adopt the Northam Neighbourhood Plan.

Residents are encouraged to review the Northam Neighbourhood Plan and submit their comments before the end of the consultation period.

Information can be found online via https://www.torridge.gov.uk/northamnp or in person at Northam Library, Fore Street, Northam, EX39 1AW and Torridge District Council, Riverbank House, Bideford, EX39 2QG.