News What do you think of proposals for a second new town in East Devon?

Share your views on proposals for a second new town, being put forward as part of East Devon’s new draft Local Plan.

A ten-week consultation looking for your views on what developments go where for the next 18 years was launched by East Devon District Council (EDDC) on Monday, 7 November.

One of the many big visions being put forward as part of the draft plan is for a new town with up to 8,000 new homes to form a self-contained new community with its own jobs, shops, schools and other community facilities.

Although the town would take decades to be built, work could start within the next 10 years with 2,500 new homes proposed to be built by 2040.

Three proposed options for a new community have been presented including one favoured option on land between the A30 and the A3052, to the north and east of Westpoint.

Two other alternative options are also being seriously considered – this includes land to the south of the A3052 and east of the A376 and Clyst St George village.

All three options offer good transport links and are close to existing jobs. Views are sought on which is best.

The need for a further new town comes from the limited opportunities to expand existing towns and villages due to many environmental issues - two thirds of East Devon are designated as ‘Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty’ and there are also issues with flooding and protected natural habitats in much of the rest of the district.

Councillor Dan Ledger, EDDC’s portfolio holder for strategic planning, said:

This is a really exciting opportunity to create a modern zero carbon town. It could provide homes that are affordable to buy and run with everything residents need within easy walking and cycling distance.

A new town means that we can plan for the delivery of homes, jobs and infrastructure such as schools, health centres and community facilities alongside each other without further overloading the infrastructure of existing towns.

This would however be a big change to the landscape and impact on nearby communities, so it is really important that people get involved and tell us what they think of these proposals. A new town like this may seem a long way off but we need everyone’s input now to make sure that we are on the right track from the start.

The consultation can be viewed online at: http://www.eastdevon.gov.uk/local-plan 

The feedback EDDC receives on this draft plan will be used to help inform and refine its thinking as the local plan is progressed. 

In just over a year’s time, it is hoped a final version of the plan will be ready – having been shaped by the public’s comments and consultations before being subject to an examination by a Government-appointed planning inspector.