Dawlish Brilliantly British - First Neighbourhood Plan Examination in the Country

The Dawlish Community Neighbourhood Plan is due for Examination on Monday 23rd and Tuesday 24th April at the United Reform Community Hall Dawlish.

This is the first of the Neighbourhood Plan Front-runner Scheme Informal Examinations in the Country. I must pay tribute to all parties involved, as well as individuals who have contributed to getting the Plan to this stage.

And, not only do we have Dawlish, we also have Ashton one of the smallest communities in Teignbridge, who have also secured funding under the Front-runner scheme to carry out a Community Neighbourhood Plan exercise.

Teignbridge District Council Forward planning Team and the Planning Team must be congratulated for their expertise in helping to facilitate these commentates aspirations.


Cllr Rosalind Prowse, Chair of the Dawlish Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group said:


"This has been an exciting and worthwhile process for the town, giving local people much more say in what they want from their town over the next 20 years.  Although Neighbourhood Plans aren't binding, they are very carefully considered by planners and Inspectors when councils make formal plans for districts.  The ideas in the Dawlish Neighbourhood Plan are very closely reflected by Teignbridge's emerging official plan, although we have listened to local views and are making the case for a couple of alternatives which we think are better suited for Dawlish.  This shows that the Steering Group are acting on local views and demonstrates real democracy in action.

"Never before have so many different individuals and groups had such a big say in the planning process for Dawlish, and it really has brought power to the people.  Our hope now is that the Inspector will agree with the plan, giving it more weight and putting us in a good position to take it to a non-binding public referendum.

"The Steering Group is passionate about Dawlish and we want a plan which delivers what's best for the town - decent homes which people can afford, plenty of community facilities, more offerings for tourists and a real boost for businesses."

Cllr Philip Vogel, Teignbridge Executive Spokesperson for Housing and Planning added:

"We've been delighted to support Dawlish throughout this groundbreaking process, putting more power in local hands.  We'll be listening very closely to the views of the Steering Group, the inspector, local people and our professional planners as we keep working on our final draft Core Strategy.

"We have been very pleased to involve local communities across Teignbridge in new ways of planning, from the Rural Masterplan recently adopted as their own by Chudleigh Town Council to the work with Bovey Tracey Town Council and community representatives on their own planning proposals.  Dawlish has been a front-runner for the new Neighbourhood Plan system, and now Ashton have the chance to draw up their own Neighbourhood Plan reflecting local wishes.  These local plans give all sides an opportunity to closely consider what local communities want from their area in the future, along with the evidence and backing to help make it a reality.  We'll continue to work throughout Teignbridge to provide professional support for local plans, and we look forward to working hand-in-hand with more local people to help build a bright future.

"I would urge communities to look out for any further Neighbourhood Planning Waves and apply."