Where could houses go? Councils want to hear suggestions for new local plan

The region’s district councils are calling on people to help identify potential sites for development across North Devon and Torridge as part of the new local plan.

The councils are inviting landowners, developers, residents and community groups to help identify land that could support sustainable development in terms of housing or employment opportunities.

The local plan is a wide ranging blueprint that sets out strategies and the vision for how the area will develop over a 10 year period and is used as part of planning policy.

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It will earmark sites suitable for meeting local housing and development needs and is taken into account when decisions are made on planning applications.

The call for sites is being launched alongside the publication of a new Housing and Economic Land Availability Assessment (HELAA). The HELAA assesses the potential for sites already identified by the councils to deliver new homes and land for employment.

But the Government has increased housebuilding targets and it is expected more sites will need to be considered for development.

The councils are also keen to identify land for a wide range of other uses such as community facilities and natural green spaces.

Councillor Bob Hicks at Torridge District Council, said: “The local plan is a pivotal piece of work that affects everyone in North Devon and Torridge, as it is the blueprint that sets out how we would like our communities to evolve over the coming years.

“As part of this we are calling on everyone – from landowners and developers to community groups and residents – to help us identify land that could provide new homes and job opportunities, deliver key infrastructure and services, and support the well-being of our communities.

"This call for sites helps us understand the options available, what land might be suitable for development and what needs to be protected."

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Councillor Malcolm Prowse, at North Devon Council, added: “We recognise that many people feel there has already been significant amounts of house building in the region. However, we will work hard to ensure that any new proposals are carefully considered and any additional housing is well designed, sensibly located, and contributes to local affordable housing and infrastructure needs while meeting the ambitious targets that are imposed on us.

“Putting a site forward to us doesn't automatically rubber-stamp it for development. We will work closely with communities and stakeholders throughout the preparation of the new plan to ensure any land earmarked for future growth will support development which genuinely responds to the economic, social and environmental needs of our local area.”

You can take part in the call for sites exercise by visiting torridge.gov.uk/callforsites or northdevon.gov.uk/callforsites. More information about the HELAA, including a map of identified sites, can be found on North Devon and Torridge's People and Place portal by visiting torridge.gov.uk/helaareport or northdevon.gov.uk/helaareport