The East Devon District Council's Strategic Planning Committee met on 2 September 2025, to discuss the East Devon Local Plan, including consultation feedback, timetables, and future work plans. The committee agreed to endorse officer-recommended changes to the local plan and endorsed the proposed new local plan-making timetable and work plan, including studies to be completed. They also agreed to award £100,000 in principle to Exmouth Rugby Club, with a possible reduction to £67,000 depending on VAT reclaim evidence.

East Devon Local Plan

The committee addressed feedback from the first stage of the Regulation 19 consultation for the East Devon Local Plan. Ed Freeman, Assistant Director Planning Strategy and Development Management, presented the report, which highlighted key issues raised during the consultations, including concerns about biodiversity, flood risk, infrastructure, and procedural fairness, particularly regarding site Exmo_20.

After hearing from 12 members of the public, the committee discussed the implications of a two-stage Regulation 19 process, taking into account the new version of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). They noted the importance of minimising significant changes to the Local Plan to remain within transitional arrangements, which could impact housing numbers.

The committee discussed a range of issues including:

• A water cycle study
• Coastal Change Management Areas (CCMAs)
• The duty to co-operate with other councils
• Wind energy areas
• Specific sites with above-average comments: Lymp_01, Whim_08a, Whim_11, Feni_08, Otry_20, Exmo_17, and Exmo_20

The committee endorsed the proposed new local plan-making timetable and work plan, including the completion of studies. They also agreed to note changes to planning practice guidance regarding two-stage Regulation 19 consultations and identify areas where they would like officer advice on potential changes to the plan.

Consideration of Potential Plan Changes to Allocations

Following up on discussions from the 8 July meeting, the committee considered potential changes to development site allocations in the local plan, in light of feedback received from the first Regulation 19 consultation. The report before the committee:

• Reflected on past work and set the scene for future work.
• Advised on the limited scope for making changes to the plan during the second stage of Regulation 19 consultation.
• Highlighted the approach to detailed site work around heritage and landscape matters.
• Set out officer recommendations on changes to specific sites.

The committee endorsed the officer-recommended changes to the local plan.

Exmouth

Four housing/mixed-use allocation sites in Exmouth were considered: Exmo_47, Exmo_20, Exmo_17, and Exmo_08 and Exmo_16 combined. While none were recommended for deletion, refinements to policy were suggested to address concerns.

Exmo_20 - Land at St John's

Land at St John's received 1,100 responses during the consultation, raising concerns about biodiversity, flood risk, infrastructure, and procedural fairness.

The committee considered landscape, mineral, and heritage considerations for the site. Devon County Council highlighted that the northern part of the site falls within a mineral safeguarding area. There is also a statutory obligation to protect the setting of the Grade II* listed St John in the Wilderness Church, which adjoins the site.

The committee agreed to retain Exmo_20 as an allocation for 700 dwellings, with amended policy wording.

Axminster

It was recommended that employment site Axmi_01a, land west of Musbury Road, be removed from the plan due to potential adverse archaeological impacts. Agents have been asked to undertake archaeological assessments for Axmi_02, Axmi_08 and Axmi_09, but conclusions will not be reached in time for the committee meeting.

Honiton

Officers recommended deleting three sites on the southern side of Honiton – Honi_07, Honi_12 and Honi_13 – from the plan. To address the resulting housing shortfall, it was recommended that two sites on the eastern side of the town, GH/ED/39a and GH/ED/39b, have an increase in allocation numbers. No changes were recommended for site Honi_18.

Seaton

Officers reviewed site Seat_13a, land west of Axeview Road, and consultation responses, and agreed that specialist archaeological assessment is required to justify allocating the site.

Feniton

It was proposed that housing allocation site Feni_08 and employment allocation site Otry_20 in Feniton be retained in the plan.

Whimple

It was recommended that Whim_08a and Whim_11 in Whimple be retained as allocations in the plan, but with some revisions to policy text.

Land at Darts Farm

Outstanding concerns remain for this employment allocation, including archaeological considerations.

Coastal Change Management Areas

The committee reviewed a report on Coastal Change Management Areas (CCMAs), including the justification for them and related policies. The CCMA boundary was redefined to account for both the University of Plymouth work and the new national coastal erosion risk management (NCERM) data.

The committee agreed to endorse the officer-recommended changes to the CCMA boundary and related plan policy.

Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation

The committee considered a report on meeting the accommodation needs of Gypsy and Traveller communities, given that one of the proposed sites in the first Regulation 19 plan is no longer considered available or suitable.

The committee agreed to endorse the officer-recommended changes to delete site Brcl_23 and amend related plan policies.

Duty to Co-operate

The committee reviewed a report summarising duty to co-operate considerations and highlighting the need for continued work on key issues.

The committee agreed to:

• Note the issues highlighted in the report, particularly those matters that remain unresolved.
• Add explanatory text to the local plan to address any future significant under-delivery of housing in East Devon or requests from other authorities to help meet their unmet housing requirements.
• Note concerns with Exeter City Council's approach to employment land provision in the Exeter Plan and to grant delegated authority to the Assistant Director – Planning Strategy and Development Management, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Place, Infrastructure and Strategic Planning, to sign a Statement of Common Ground with Exeter City Council.
• Note the update on the Water Cycle Study and consider including a strategic policy on water quality.

Policy for Wind Farms and Turbines

The committee considered a report on policy options for addressing proposals for wind turbines and wind farms in East Devon.

The committee agreed to endorse the officer-recommended changes to the plan, so that the local plan does not identify specific areas or locations on the policies map where wind turbines/farms will be allowed, and instead the policy across all of East Devon should be criteria-based.