South Hams District Council

Totnes Neighbourhood Plan – Regulation 18 Decision Statement

Date of Publication – xx September 2023

Following an independent examination of the Totnes Neighbourhood Plan and the receipt of the Examiner’s Report, the Council has decided that, subject to the Examiner’s proposed specific modifications, the Totnes Neighbourhood Plan being the version so approved by the South Hams District Council Executive on 21^st September 2023, should proceed to referendum for the following reasons; the Neighbourhood Plan:

· Will be compatible with the European Convention of Human Rights, and in particular, to Article 8 (privacy); Article 14 (discrimination); and Article 1 of the first Protocol (Property);

· Will not breach, and is otherwise compatible with European Union obligations;

· Is not likely to have significant effect on a European designated site or a European Offshore Marine site either alone or in combination with other plans or projects;

· Taken as a whole has regard to national policies and advice contained in guidance issued by the Secretary of State and would contribute to the achievement of sustainable development;

· Is in general conformity with the strategic policies contained in the Development Plan for the area;

· Meets the Basic Conditions; and

· Has undergone consultation in accordance with the requirements of the Regulations.

The Council also agreed with the Examiner’s recommendation that the referendum for the

Totnes Neighbourhood Plan should be based on the designated Neighbourhood Plan Area approved by the Council on 21st March 2013.

This Decision Statement, the Examiner’s Report, including the proposed modifications, and the referendum version of the Totnes Neighbourhood Plan can be viewed on South Hams District Council’s website:-

https://www.neighbourhoodplanning.swdevon.gov.uk/totnes

The Plan is also available for inspection as follows:

· Totnes Town Council, The Guildhall Offices, 5 Ramparts Walk, Totnes, TQ9 5QH by appointment. Phone: Town Clerk on 01803 862147 or email reception@totnestowncouncil.gov.uk who will arrange for the Neighbourhood Plan to be viewed.

To meet the requirements of the Localism Act 2011, a referendum which poses the question, ‘Do you want South Hams District Council to use the Neighbourhood Plan for Totnes to help it decide planning applications in the Neighbourhood Area?’ will be held in the area formally designated as the Totnes Neighbourhood Plan Area.

For any questions please contact Graham Swiss, Senior Strategic Planning Officer on 01803 861290 or e-mail neighbourhoodplan@swdevon.gov.uk