Plans that will help shape developments in Colyton parish, for the next two decades, are one step closer to being official adopted.

A referendum was held on the Colyton Parish Neighbourhood Plan on 2 December.

An overwhelming 91 per cent of voters said they would like the document to be used to help inform future decisions about development and planning applications in the area. 

The neighbourhood plan, which has been five years in the making, was created by a steering group made up of members of the parish council, local community groups and individuals from the wider community.

The question posed at the referendum, and to which voters said yes, was ‘Do you want East Devon District Council to use the neighbourhood plan for Colyton to help it decide planning applications in the neighbourhood area?’.

The final step in the process will be for the plan to be considered by EDDC at its next cabinet meeting, early in the New Year to determine if it can now be formally ‘made’. This is due to happen on 5 January 2022. 

The plan and related documentation can be viewed on the council website.

Councillor Dan Ledger, Portfolio Holder for Strategic Planning, said:

It’s fantastic to see the people of Colyton taking more control on how they wish to see their settlement develop over the next few years. I look forward to January where the plan will take pride of place as East Devon’s newest made neighbourhood plan.

Congratulations really needs to be given to all of the volunteers for getting the plan through to this point. Without their passion and commitment to their own community this feat would have never been achieved.