GOSS congratulates Teignbridge District Council for website success

Well done Teignbridge for this prestigious award:

http://gossinteractive.com/news/goss-congratulates-teignbridge-district-council-for-website-success

Teign Housing harding Ct Buckfastleigh

Harding Court, Buckfastleigh
2012-05-25

Teign Housing has unveiled 10 new homes in Buckfastleigh in memory of former involved tenant, Pam Harding. MP Mel Stride was amongst a number of guests who attended the opening event on Friday 4 May at Harding Court.

Harding Court comprises of 10 two bedroom homes, including four bungalows, for affordable rent.

The new homes have been developed on land that was previously owned by Teignbridge District Council. The district council sold the land to Teign Housing and also provided £30,000 of funding for the scheme. £537,502 of funding was also obtained from the Homes and Communities Agency.

Peter Wharf, Teign Housing’s Chair of the Board said: “We named the development after Pam Harding who sadly passed away last year after losing her battle to cancer. Pam was an active member of our Tenants’ Forum and later became a well-respected tenant Board Member.

“She gave up a lot of her time to represent all tenants across Teignbridge, making sure that they had choice and access to good quality affordable housing. I am confident that Pam would have been thrilled with what we have achieved at Harding Court as it represents everything she believed affordable housing should be.”

MP Mel Stride said: “Affordable housing for local people is one of the most important issues in my constituency given that wages are relatively low and house prices so high. So I was delighted to officially open Harding Court in Buckfastleigh and I commend Teign Housing on this great new development."

Cllr Philip Vogel, Teignbridge Executive Spokesperson for Housing and Planning said: “We were very pleased to make this development a reality by contributing funding and transferring land, and to work in partnership with Teign Housing, their architects, Dartmoor National Park Authority, Buckfastleigh Town Council and Croyde Construction.

"These affordable homes are a much-needed addition to housing in Buckfastleigh and show what can be achieved with good quality design within the National Park.

"I hope that residents will enjoy living at Harding Court."

All of the homes have been built to Level 4 of the Code for Sustainable Homes, which means they are 44% more energy efficient than homes built to the current standard building regulations. This is the highest level Teign Housing has met in their developments so far.

The development was built on land that surrounds Harewood House, which is a 19th Century building that was once home to an affluent family. The wall of the original kitchen garden has been left as it was and can be seen in the gardens of the new homes. Harewood House was previously converted into flats and are now managed by Teign Housing.

Reproduced from http://www.teignhousing.co.uk/news/harding-court-buckfastleigh

Photograph L-R: Cllr Philip Vogel, Peter Wharf Chair of the Board Teign Housing, MP Mel Stride and Mike Hanrahan Chief Executive Teign Housing.

The Week at a Glance

Saturday saw the results of the Portas Bids. Unfortunately the 'Dawlish Brilliantly British' Youtube bid was unsuccessful.

Thursday and Friday were Ward and research days.

Wednesday, Teignbridge District  Council hosted the Local Government Association Local Growth Campaign South West Town Hall Debate This brought together businesses, councillors, officers and community groups to discuss promoting employment growth in the area. I understand it was one of the best attended local seminars.

Also attend with colleagues from the Planning Committee two site visits.

Tuesday's Overview and Scrutiny Housing Review recommendations to the Executive have already been Blogged.

Fresh New look for four Teignbridge Towns

Yesterday saw plans for the consultation for the 'new look' Bovey Tracey, Chudleigh, Kingsteignton and Kingskerswell go on display locally. And a hot day it was.

I attended the Chudleigh display and a big thank you, to all the residents and Officers who attended and commented on the proposals.

If you were unable to attend the consultation period does not end until 8th June and details can either be found at the local venues or on the TDC web site.

The Goldilocks Speech

Teignbridge District Council Overview and Scrutiny Committee yesterday voted unanimously across party and independent group to recommend to the Executive a reduction in the number of houses that will form part of Plan Teignbridge 2013-2033. These numbers over the last decade have been set variously at 15,900, 14,800, 12,400 and now 10,000. The last Local Plan (formally known as The Core Strategy) was rejected as I understand it by the planning Inspector as Unsound for among other reasons being housing numbers and location of said houses.


Teignbridge is not of itself an island. it is neither Lilliput nor Brobdingnag. We want neither too few houses nor too many houses. We want the Goldilocks Solution. Enough houses to satisfy demand, but not so few as to have the Planning Inspector following petition at the Public Examination of the Local Plan, identify land in the final report on which houses must be built and specify the number.

But houses we do need. This Administration is pledged to 'make housing a priority' '..and deliver homes where communities want them.'

The Localism Act allows for greater community participation, and in recent months both Buckfastleigh and Dawlish have been involved in this process. However, during the Plan Teignbridge 2013-2033 Preferred Options consultation, in addition to all the individual responses, a lot of communities through their local parish and town council representatives raised concerns at the proposed numbers of houses in their communities.

So why the high numbers and why the reductions. The Housing Market Assessment which all Local Authorities need to have, shows that Teignbridge needs more houses for a variety of reasons. (links to all these documents can be found on TDC's web site or somewhere on this Blog). Some of these reasons relate to a failure to build sufficient houses in previous decades, and the need to accommodate future in-migration and local residents in so called 'hidden households' (adult children living at home with parents and unable to afford their own homes).

Where none seems to disagree is that there is a need for Affordable Housing, and the sooner the better.

Therefore how is this seemingly unsolvable paradox resolved. Is there a conflict between the need for affordable houses, intermediate market houses and communities' desire to have housing appropriate to their current community extrapolated over 20 years?

Does the Localism Act take precent over the National Planning policy Framework, or can they work together?

The Goldilocks Solution may be the solution. Set a figure now, which in the light of economic and demographic circumstances can be reviewed every five or so years.

TDC O&S Housing Review Group

Teignbridge District Council  Overview and Scrutiny Committee has today resolved, to recommend to the Executive the Housing Review Group working party's recommendation that the number of houses adopted for the emerging Local Plan should be reduced to 10,000.

Saturday Afternoon in the Bay

Photos from Saturday Afternoon in the Bay - with real sunshine!

Tweeter

For up to date press releases, comments, overheard, off off comments, and retweets check out my Tweet

#vogelphilipc

Views To Be Invited As Ideas For Local Town And Village Centres Are Unveiled (published 18.05.12)

TDC Press Release:


Fresh new looks for four local towns and villages are set to be unveiled later this month as Teignbridge District Council presents new designs based on local views.

Residents of Bovey Tracey, Chudleigh, and Kingsteignton have already taken part in local workshops to help inform plans for their town or village centres, and now the results are going public so more people can have their say.  Meanwhile Kingskerswell residents are being invited to further explore options for their village centre so that new designs can be created.

Design proposals for Bovey Tracey, Chudleigh, and Kingsteignton will be shown at a range of public exhibitions on Saturday 26 May 2012.  People can expect to see ideas for many different improvements and enhancements based on local views, and the ideas will stay on display until Friday 8 June.  An event on the same day in Kingskerswell will give residents a chance to talk with planners about their village centre, including plans for the future once the South Devon Link Road is completed in 2015.

Teignbridge has employed consultants LHC Architecture and Urbanism to prepare the draft design proposals for Bovey Tracey, Chudleigh, and Kingsteignton.  They follow workshops involving representatives of all the local communities, which took place during April.

These gathered information on a range of issues and explored people's ideas for enhancements, traffic management and other improvements.  The comments and ideas received at the workshops have now been included in the draft design proposals which can be seen at the upcoming public exhibitions:

Bovey Tracey - 2pm-5pm - Bovey Tracey Methodist Church Hall, Le Molay Littry Way

Chudleigh - 2pm - 5pm - Chudleigh Town Hall, Market Way

Kingsteignton - 9.30am-12.30pm - Kingsteignton URC, Church Street

Kingskerswell - 9.30am-12.30pm - Kingskerswell Community and Leisure Centre, Dobbin Arch (No draft proposals, opportunity to discuss and influence future proposals.)

Teignbridge is inviting local people to have their say on the proposals from 26 May to 8 June 2012.  For further information and to have your say, go to www.teignbridge.gov.uk/enhancements, email forwardplanning@teignbridge.gov.uk or phone 01626 215741.

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

"So much of our recent plan making has been about working very closely with local people, listening to their views and working together on a brighter future for towns and villages.  There have been some great ideas contributed by members of the public, and we're really looking forward to sharing with people the proposals for their area.

"This is a chance for everyone to have their say on how their town or village should look in the future, and I'd encourage as many of you as possible to come along and get involved.

"Together we've come all the way from local wish lists, to firm, realistic proposals for our town and village centres.  This is about making a real difference to everyday life in Teignbridge, whether it's reducing traffic bottlenecks, providing community facilities or helping make our communities more attractive to residents and visitors.  Now is the time to make sure your voice is heard, because there's still time for us to listen and take notice."

Among the ideas going on show at the events are:

Bovey Tracey: Proposals to enhance the area around Station Road car park and Conduit Square.

Chudleigh: Proposals include a shared surface space in the town centre which would give greater priority for pedestrians, while still providing for traffic movements through the town.

Kingsteignton: The area around the fountain has been identified as somewhere with the potential for enhancements to create a better defined centre for Kingsteignton.

Kingskerswell: The area around the shops on Fore Street has been identified as one with the potential for enhancements.  There is also an opportunity to begin to think about what could happen to the A380 once the bypass is open.

Haldon ridge traveller site - update 2012-05-17

Teign Housing press release reproduced below:

Plans to build an authorised traveller site at Haldon have been making steady progress over the past few months. We have now put up temporary fencing around an area next to the current unauthorised traveller site. This fencing will mark the area where we are proposing to build the new authorised site and will allow site surveys of the area to be completed.

Jo Reece, our Deputy Chief Executive said: “We have obtained a license to put up fencing so that we can carry out these surveys. Once the surveys have been completed our architects can then draw up the designs and site plan that will be part of our planning application.

“We are still proposing to build 15 pitches on the new site and we would like to reassure the public that we are not extending the size of the current site. Having the new site next-door will allow us to get on with the building work with minimal disruption to the travellers. Once the site is built, the travellers who are allocated pitches will be able to move across and, together with our partners, we can start work on restoring the area where the unauthorised site is currently.

“All of this will be dependent on planning permission being granted and we are aiming to submit our planning application this summer.”

Travellers who are not allocated a pitch at the new site will be assisted by Teignbridge District Council to find alternative accommodation. Enforcement action will be made against any travellers remaining on unauthorised land.

Cllr Philip Vogel, Teignbridge Executive Spokesperson for Housing and Planning said: “We are committed to meeting local housing needs and providing good quality support to anyone in need of a home. If an authorised site is approved, pitches will be allocated based on a number of factors, giving priority to those with the greatest need.

“Anyone who isn’t successful getting a place would need to move on, and if this happens we will work directly with those affected to offer support and advice. If anyone wishes to move in to settled housing then they will be treated in the same way as any other applicant who is faced with homelessness.

“We must be clear that we cannot allow unauthorised encampments at Haldon Ridge or anywhere else in the district, and if necessary we will take legal action to evict anyone doing this.”

http://www.teignhousing.co.uk/news/haldon-ridge-traveller-site-update

Devonia Site - Consultation

Land at Devonia Products (Axminster Carpets), Buckfastleigh

Dartmoor National Park Authority recently published and consulted on a new Plan for Dartmoor.

This Plan, the 'DMD', includes areas identified for new development, such as housing or

employment uses.

During the consultation the owners of the Axminster Carpets site in Buckfastleigh submitted a

response stating that the site is being vacated, apart from the Devonia products building, and

should be considered for redevelopment for mixed uses involving business, retail, leisure and

residential uses.

We are keen to hear your views on the redevelopment of this site. You may like to think about

the following questions as a basis for your comments.

May 2012

Your details:

Name

Company or organisation

Address

Email

Telephone

Please ensure we receive your comments by 4th July 2012

DMD Programme Officer, Dartmoor National Park Authority

Parke, Bovey Tracey, Devon, TQ13 9JQ

Tel. 01626 832093 Email: programmeofficer@dartmoor.gov.uk

Web site: www.dartmoor-npa.gov.uk/dmd

Should this site be redeveloped for other uses?

What business uses might be appropriate? (For example, should there be small employment units,

a single large employer; should there be industrial units or warehousing?)

What retail uses might be appropriate? (For example, would Buckfastleigh support a larger

convenience shop?)

What leisure uses might be appropriate? (For example, what does the community of Buckfastleigh

need, what tourist opportunities might be considered?)

What residential uses might be appropriate? (For example, what type of housing does

Buckfastleigh need?)

Is there anything else you think should be considered as part of any redevelopment?

New Chairman and Other Key Roles Established At Annual Meeting

Text of press release issued by Teignbridge District Council following today's Annual Council Meeting:

Teignbridge District Council has appointed its new Chairman, Cllr Chris Clarence, and other key Council figures for the coming year at its Annual Council meeting today (15 May 2012).

At its Annual Council meeting held this afternoon, the following post-holders were announced:

Chairman of the Council: Cllr Chris Clarence

Vice-Chairman of the Council: Cllr Peter Bromell

Leader of the Council: Cllr Jeremy Christopher

Executive Portfolio Holder for Economy, Strategic Direction and Communications

Deputy Leader of the Council: Cllr Stuart Barker

Executive Portfolio Holder for Assets and Resources

Executive Portfolio Holder for Housing and Planning: Cllr Philip Vogel

Executive Portfolio Holder for Communities, Recreation and Leisure: Cllr George Gribble

Executive Portfolio Holder for Corporate Services: Cllr Mike Walters

Executive Portfolio Holder for Environmental Services: Cllr Kevin Lake

Executive Portfolio Holder for Tourism: Cllr Sylvia Russell

These roles are effective immediately.

Also at the meeting Cllr Dennis Smith, outgoing Chairman, presented Helen Burgess and Janet Hurden from the charities Christian Aid and Children’s Hospice South West with a cheque for £2362.80, with £1181.40 going to each.  The money was raised from various charitable events throughout his year as Chairman.

New Chairman Cllr Chris Clarence confirmed his chosen charity for the coming year as Devon Air Ambulance.

Chairmen (C) and Vice-Chairmen (VC) for Teignbridge’s committees were also confirmed at the meeting.  They are:

Overview & Scrutiny Committee:

Cllr Alan Connett (C)

Cllr Anthony Ballinger (VC)

Planning Committee:

Cllr Humphrey Clemens (C)

Cllr Dennis Smith (VC)

Regulatory and Appeals Committee:

Cllr Anna Klinkenberg (C)

Cllr Beryl Austen (VC)

Licensing Act 2003 Committee:

Cllr Ted Hockin (C)

Cllr Graham Price (VC)

Audit Scrutiny Committee:

Cllr Anthony Ballinger (C)

Cllr Alistair Dewhirst (VC)

Standards Committee:

Mr Christopher Hampson (public member)

Mr Derek Phillips (public member)

Mrs Carol Robinson (public member)

Parish Councillor Dudley Swain (Teignbridge Association of Local Councils member)

Parish Councillor Lesley Whittaker (Teignbridge Association of Local Councils member)

Town Councillor Daphne Watts (Teignbridge Association of Local Councils member)

District Councillors Mike Hocking and Stephen Purser

Teignbridge Highways and Transportation Committee:

Cllr David Cox

Cllr Rosalind Prowse

Cllr Mike Haines

ENDS

Teignbridge District Council Annual Council Meeting 2012

Today is the Annual Council Meeting at which the new Chair and Deputy Chair of Teignbridge District Council are chosen. Also at this meeting the majority party confirm their Executive and Members decide who represents them on the various outside committees.

Kevin McCloud to support the self-build surge

Kevin McCloud to support the self-build surge

Published 14 May 2012
Self-build industry champion and new £30 million fund will boost the self build revolution

Kevin McCloud has been appointed by the self-build industry to support the national surge of interest in people looking to design and build their own home.

Housing Minister Grant Shapps said he was delighted that the National Self Build Association had appointed Mr McCloud, presenter of Channel 4's Grand Designs and an architecture specialist, and he was the ideal choice to help aspiring self-builders achieve their dreams.

Mr Shapps also announced a new £30 million fund for self builders, which will provide short-term finance to help unlock projects where groups of self-build homes are built at the same time.

Self-build industry is 'riding the crest of a wave'

With the number of mortgages available to self-builders set to rise by 141 per cent, and over 100,000 people looking for self-build plots across the country, Mr Shapps said the self-build industry was "riding the crest of a wave".

Yet despite this interest, Britain still lags behind the rest of the world, with just one in ten of all homes each year built by self-builders - so the Government has pledged to double the size of the industry.

Remainder of press release at:

http://www.communities.gov.uk/news/housing/2144006

Ashburton's April's Police Neighbourhood report.

ASHBURTON NEIGHBOURHOOD REPORT APRIL 2012


During the past month in Ashburton 48 incidents were reported to us, 18 of which concerned the A38 and a further 6 were traffic related incidents that occurred within the town itself.  Only 1 incident of anti social behaviour was reported and this related to noisy youths being out and about around Cooks Close on 17th April.

9 crimes were recorded from the town which is the lowest monthly figure that I can recall. This figure includes 4 offences of theft (theft of a pedal cycle, some tools that were left on some scaffolding and theft of items from an unattended parked vehicle) and 1 burglary offence.  This was to the old Police Station on Eastern Road, currently unoccupied, where a 16yr old local male was arrested on the premises.

1 offence of damage was reported that related to an incident where a road cone was thrown through the window of Christina’s sandwich shop.  Police were quickly on the scene and 2 people were discovered close by.  Though there was not enough evidence at the time to make an arrest, local enquiries progressed over the coming days after the event established that one of these individuals were involved.  After speaking to the proprietor of the shop a process known as Restorative Justice has been agreed upon whereby the suspect has agreed to pay for the damage that was caused.

The use of forensic evidence has been important in regards to 2 recent crimes, 1 involving damage was caused to building on Chuley Road and another where a vehicle was interred with in St Lawrence Lane car park.  In both cases our forensic teams have woven their magic and have identified 2 suspects who will now be interviewed over their possible involvement with these 2 crimes.

As always, dealing with anti-social (ASB) behaviour in the Town remains a priority for the Neighbourhood Team. I always ask that members of the public contact us at the time should they witness any such incidents to enable us to deal with them promptly and effectively. I will always seek to deal with any kind of ‘street drinking’ as a means of preventing any later ASB. On Sunday 6th May I seized enough spirits, cider and lager to open my own small off licence from a group of 16,17 and 18 year olds near to the Recreation ground. The contents of the bottles and cans were then ceremoniously disposed of in a drain on North Street.

In Widecombe 4 incidents were reported, including 1 traffic collision. No crimes were recorded.

In Bickington 5 incidents were reported, including a suspicious male calling at Chipley Farm on 25th April. 1 crime was recorded which relates to an arson allegation. A male has been arrested and is currently on Police bail whilst enquiries are progressed.


My next Police surgery at the Information Centre in Ashburton is from 10-11am on Wednesday 16th May.

I can be contacted at Ashburton Police Station via the central no. of 101 or via e-mail – Teignbridge@devonandcornwall.pnn.police.uk
Alternatively information can be given anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.


                                                                      PC Andy Dudley

Plan Teignbridge SHMA Update

Plan Teignbridge SHMA Update from TDC website.

SHMA Update

http://www.teignbridge.gov.uk/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=33709&p=0

Press Release
http://www.teignbridge.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=16098

Updated 'Plan Teignbridge' Evidence Received By Council

News Flash - Updated 'Plan Teignbridge' Evidence Received By Council (Final ORS Report May 2012)

http://www.teignbridge.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=16098

Ashburton Planning Application 11/00504/MAJ Land off Pitley Hill Dolbeare

The above planning application, (see TDC Planning Agenda on web site   http://www.teignbridge.gov.uk/index.aspx?ArticleID=16070), following a long discussion by Members was deferred with all matters reserved for a Class A safety audit to look at the pedestrian access and lights on the Linhay side of the road. Further details from TDC planning.

DNPA DMD progress to Planning Inspector Examination and Devonia Products (Axminister Carpets) Buckfastleigh

Details of the DMD's journey to Inspection and the call for community interest on the Devonia site can be found at: http://www.dartmoor.gov.uk/planning/pl-forwardplanning/pl-localdevframework/pl-development_management_and_delivery_development_plan_document

Devon Waste Plan Preferred Strategy site options & draft policies consultation document

This link should be of interest to all communities and is your opportunity to engage with DCC regarding proposals for waste management. The link is:
http://www.devon.gov.uk/index/environmentplanning/planning-system/planning_minerals_and_waste/waste_planning/waste_development_framework/wastecorestrategy/devon_waste_plan_consultation_2012.htm

The Devon Waste Management Document pdf is at:

http://www.devon.gov.uk/120508_waste_plan_consultation_document_for_webpage.pdf

Congratulation to two new Mayors

Congratulations and enjoy your year to Cllr. Baker Mayor of Ashburton and Cllr. Rudgley Mayor of Buckfastleigh. Both Annual Council Meetings and Full Councils were busy and covered a lot of ground for both towns.

Fresh Dates Announced For Local Plan Timetable

Teignbridge District Council have issued a press release on the key dates for the submission of the Local Plan to the planning Inspectorate for examination. Text below:

Teignbridge District Council has confirmed a new timetable of important dates leading to the submission of its local plan to the Planning Inspectorate for public examination.

Plan Teignbridge 2012-2033 sets out the council's planning vision for the district, delivering growth, jobs, homes, facilities and environmental protection.  The new timetable will allow the time necessary for the 7,000 responses to the recent consultation to be read, recorded and considered for inclusion in the final submission version of the plan, which will go forward to the Planning Inspectorate for public examination.

It follows the most extensive and comprehensive consultation exercise ever run by Teignbridge.  Running from January to March this year, it involved meetings with local people, Parish and Town Councils, statutory consultees, developers and land owners.  It even used the Devon County Council Mobile Library Service to reach more rural areas, alongside widespread publicity and online presence. 

The new timetable also allows time to consider fresh evidence about local planning matters.  This includes the Council-commissioned Housing Numbers Review by independent consultants ORS - due imminently, and the Dawlish Neighbourhood Plan Informal Examination report, due in mid-May. 

The new timetable for Plan Teignbridge is:

• 22 May - Overview and Scrutiny Committee to consider the Housing Numbers Review Working Group's written conclusions

• End June - Finalise Plan Teignbridge final draft

• 18 July - Overview and Scrutiny to consider the final draft

• 24 July - Executive to consider the final draft

• 31 July - Special Full Council Meeting to consider the final draft

• August/September - Public consultation

• October - Submit final draft to Planning Inspectorate

• February 2013 - Possible Examination date.

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

"Teignbridge District Council is putting people power and planning quality first by revising the timetable for the final draft of Plan Teignbridge. We said we would listen, and reducing housing numbers from the previous 2004 Core Strategy, and again from our original starting point, has clearly been heard to be a priority. The aim is to produce a plan that delivers a brighter future for Teignbridge residents and one which local people support. The plan contains something for everyone and seeks to address the issues raised by local residents and businesses.

"The response to the consultation has been overwhelming, and to date is over 25 times greater than the responses received for the final version of the 2004 plan, and these responses need to be read and recorded.

"These dates should allow Councillors, Officers, residents, statutory consultees, developers and landowners to give full consideration to the submission version of the Plan."

World's smallest mammoth is identified

Today's news by the Natural History Museum about finding the World's smallest mammoth in Crete is, if like me its your field, really interesting. The link to the NHM web site and discovery is:

http://www.nhm.ac.uk/about-us/news/2012/may/worlds-smallest-mammoth-is-identified110024.html

Kingskerswell bypass gets full Government approval

Herald Express carries the full story at: http://www.thisissouthdevon.co.uk/BREAKING-NEWS-Kingskerswell-bypass-gets/story-16022709-detail/story.html

Forward Plan Local Plan - Local Plan Teignbridge 2012 - 2033 - Executive 8th May 2012

Made following statement today at Executive regarding the future timetable for the progressing of the Local Plan Teignbridge 2012 -2033.

Deputy Leader

With regards to the Local Plan Teignbridge 2012 - 2033, I would like to up date Executive before we leave the Forward Plan.

The Council has never had such an extensive or comprehensive consulting exercise as the draft core strategy Plan Teignbridge 2012-2033.

This has involved more meetings with Parish and Town Councils, public meetings, and the mobile library across the District, and taken residents views through written and all forms of digital media.

The Forward Planning Team, as was detailed at Full Council, has received 7k replies,and the Team is well on the way to completing the recording of all responses.

As you can imagine this is a time consuming exercises that requires accuracy as many of the responses have multiple headings; and these responses will need to be available to the Inspector once the Local Plan goes forward to DCLG for Inspection.

ORS is due in mid-May, and I think it would also be prudent to await the Dawlish Neighbourhood Informal Examination Report from Professor Balch, as this could have a bearing on the draft LP.

O&S has tasked the Housing Numbers Working Group to deliver their report in writing to the Committee on the 22nd May.

I therefore propose that the timetable for submitting the Final Draft Local Plan Teignbridge 2012 -2033 to DCLG and Inspection is as follows:

O&S 22nd May consider the Housing Numbers Review Working Group written conclusions.

2. Early/Mid June - Political Group briefings.

End June - Finalise Local Plan Document.

July - O&S consider Local Plan Document.

24th July - Executive consider Local Plan Document.

31st July - Special Council Meeting to consider the Local Plan Document - final draft.

Consult August/September.

October - Submit final draft Local Plan Teignbridge 2012 -2033 to Planning Inspectorate.

Feb 2013 - Possible Examination date.

This should allow time for due consideration by all Councillors and Officers of the Local Plan, as well as the final consultation with the public.

Buckfastleigh Neighbourhood report – April 2012

The April Policing Neighbourhood Team's report for the Buckfastleigh is reproduced below. The bogus charity collectors at West Buckfastleigh is a cautionary tale for all of us:

Over the past month there have been 37 incidents reported to us from Buckfastleigh which covered a range of issues from people sleeping rough in the town to problems on the A38.

 

In total 7 crimes reported to us from the town which included 6 reports of criminal damage.  4 reports related to criminal damage being caused to vehicles in the Old Totnes Road area of the town which included a tyre valve was interfered with,  a motorcycle was damaged and a vehicle lock appeared to be  glued.  These incidents occurred between the 27^th and 30^th April.  These are all being followed up by the Neighbourhood Officer, PC Ali Hooper, and anyone with any information should contact her at Ashburton Police Station.

 

Another report of criminal damage came from the Market Street area where a vehicle had some very offensive wording scratched into the paint work during the night of the 28^th to the 29^th April.  This too is being investigated locally and anyone with any information should contact PC PERRINS also at Ashburton Police Station.

 

No crimes were reported to us from the Dean Prior area, though we had 6 incidents reported to us of which 5 related to the A38.

 

From the West Buckfastleigh area we have had no crimes reported to us. There were 3 incidents reported, 1 of which related to suspicious charity collectors.  A local resident called us when their suspicions were aroused and a call to the charity indicated that the males were not in fact linked to them.  Officers were quickly into the area but the vehicle was not found.  It is important that we are called quickly if you are suspicious of any incident, and if you receive a caller to your door always ask to see Identification.  All genuine callers will carry some form of identification with them and will show it on demand.

 

From Holne we have had no crimes reported to us.  3 incidents were reported to us which included a report of a dog being out of control and a prowler.   On further investigation the prowler report turned out to be deer, but again we are happy to receive such calls as we need your help to catch those who target our rural communities to commit crime.

 

We can be contacted via the central switchboard via number 101, or if you believe it to be an emergency by using the 999 line.  We can be contacted via e-mail toTeignbridge@devonandcornwall.pnn.police.uk

 

Police Sergeant Ian STEVENS

PC 4939 Alison HOOPER, 

PCSO 30454  Jonathan BOX

Special Constable Andy ROBERTS

 

Bored as a Teller

Ok its going to be a long day for some of you out in Election Land, so here's a little puzzle. What connects 

With:

And Newton Abbot Museum?

National Planning policy Framework - a personal commentary

"The time has come," the Walrus said,
"To talk of many things:
Of shoes--and ships--and sealing-wax--
Of cabbages--and kings--
And why the sea is boiling hot--
And whether pigs have wings..and why the National Planning Policy Framework..’
(With acknowledgements and apologies to Lewis Carroll.)

The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) http://www.communities.gov.uk/planningandbuilding/planningsystem/planningpolicy/planningpolicyframework/  became material to planning applications from 27th March 2012, and immediately replaces all previous Ministerial Circulars and guidance documents, excepting PPS 10.

Let us be very clear, this document is extremely powerful and far reaching into all our lives, and when coupled with the Localism Act, and especially that part concerned with Neighbourhood and Community Plans and public referendums, is, and will change, if not all, most, of our thoughts and aspirations for our communities for years to come.  If this sounds far fetched - read it.

The basic premise behind the NPPF is the the presumption in favour of ‘Sustainable Development’ (para 14),  and ‘Sustainable Development’  is defined at para 5.

Para 4 is interesting in that it states in the first sentence that..’ This Framework should be read in conjunction with the Government’s planning policy for traveller sites...’ http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/planningandbuilding/planningpolicytravellers  which came into effect on 23rd March 2012.

Para 5 is again interesting as it deals with waste policies.

Core Strategies or Local Development Plans are renamed Local Plans. At Para 2 it states at line 2..‘The National Planning Policy Framework must be taken into account in the preparation of the local or neighbourhood plans, and is a material consideration in planning decisions.’  I mention this because there seems to be a few myths circulating that the NPPF is only material once a Local Planning Authority (LPA) has a Local Plan. Not so if you read this sentence - it seems quite clear that any Local Plan, and Neighbourhood Plan must be NPPF compliant as the starting point. It therefore follows, that unless a LPA has either put their Local Plan forward for consideration by the DCLG, or has had it approved, NPPF Para 14 overrides any other consideration. The exception to this, it could be argued, are Paras 114, 115, 116 and 117 - which deal variously with the physical and biodiversity environments, National Parks, and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Para 126 - bullet point one recognises the value to communities of ‘enhancing the significance of heritage assets and putting them to viable uses consistent with their conservation.’

Further commentary on Heritage Assets has been issued by English Heritage on 27th March 2012 . http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/content/imported-docs/a-e/eh-commentary-nppf.pdf

Of further interest are:-  
Paras 150 - 177 dealing with the Local Plans,
Paras 178- 181 dealing with Planning Strategically across local boundaries,
Paras 186 - 187 decision-taking.
Para 187 in particular is worth flagging up stating in sentence 1 ..‘Local planning authorities should look for solutions rather than problems, and decision-takers at every level should seek to approve applications for sustainable development where possible..’

And finally Para 47 which deals with the delivering a wide choice of high quality homes. Attention needs to be paid to the second bullet point which I reproduce in full but it needs to be read in conjunction with its foot notes...

‘ identify and update annually a supply of specific deliverable sites sufficient to provide five years worth of housing against their housing requirements with an additional buffer of 5% (moved forward from later in the plan period) to ensure choice and competition in the market for land. Where there has been a record of persistent under delivery of housing, local planning authorities should increase the buffer to 20% (moved forward from later in the plan period) to provide a realistic prospect of achieving the planned supply and to ensure choice and competition in the market for land;’

Enough said on this I think.....