Motion received from Cllr Mott:
“Parishes and groups are being encouraged to develop Neighbourhood Plans along with the support of local communities in order to have a say, under localism, in how their community is shaped for the foreseeable future. This is at great financial cost, be it in money or time to all involved. Indeed we ourselves are in the final throws of completing our own Joint Local Plan with Plymouth and South Hams. The latest instruction from central Government and what appears to be a not so hidden agenda from the Planning Inspectorate seems to show scant regard to localism and local opinion. One person is able to ride roughshod through the process with a manifesto of building regardless of cost to the two main industries of West Devon, namely agriculture and tourism. When an industry not supported by policy uses a quick fix to diversify and build giving views of row upon row of white boxes. Intensive farming not of animals this time but of humans. With this we lose a little more each time of what makes this landscape unique and attractive.
I would like to ask this Council’s support in writing to our Members of Parliament to express our concerns over the disregard to local expectations and opinions and to support the concerns expressed by Parish Councils who feel that consultation is a waste of time. We deserve a say in how our communities are developed and need reassurance that the principle of localism is still a valid one.”
Minutes:
CM 66
The Mayor confirmed that one motion had been received from Cllr C Mott in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 15.
The motion read as follows:
“Parishes and groups are being encouraged to develop Neighbourhood Plans along with the support of local communities in order to have a say, under localism, in how their community is shaped for the foreseeable future. This is at great financial cost, be it in money or time to all involved. Indeed we ourselves are in the final throws of completing our own Joint Local Plan with Plymouth and South Hams. The latest instruction from central Government and what appears to be a not so hidden agenda from the Planning Inspectorate seems to show scant regard to localism and local opinion. One person is able to ride roughshod through the process with a manifesto of building regardless of cost to the two main industries of West Devon, namely agriculture and tourism. When an industry not supported by policy uses a quick fix to diversify and build giving views of row upon row of white boxes. Intensive farming not of animals this time but of humans. With this we lose a little more each time of what makes this landscape unique and attractive.
I would like to ask this Council’s support in writing to our Members of Parliament to express our concerns over the disregard to local expectations and opinions and to support the concerns expressed by Parish Councils who feel that consultation is a waste of time. We deserve a say in how our communities are developed and need reassurance that the principle of localism is still a valid one.”
The motion was seconded by Cllr P R Sanders.
In the ensuing debate, reference was made to:-
(a) a recent planning appeal decision. A Member expressed his concerns that a recent appeal decision had resulted in three years of work on his local Neighbourhood Plan being effectively destroyed. As a result, the Member had made representations to local MPs and the Secretary Of State. That being said, the Member felt that the inability of the Council to be able to demonstrate a five year land supply was deeply regrettable and the cause of the appeal decision.
With regard to planning appeals, some Members expressed their frustrations over some recent decisions and were of the view that the Planning Inspector seemed to ride roughshod over the views of the Council and wishes of the local community. The current process also seemed to be in total contradiction to the Localism Act and appeared to be unfairly weighted towards the approval of planning applications;
(b) an amendment to the original motion. An amendment to the original motion was PROPOSED and SECONDED whereby the Council also write to the Secretary of State. When put to the vote, this amendment was declared CARRIED.
In addition, it was agreed that copies of the letter (and any subsequent replies) would be circulated to all Members.
It was then:
RESOLVED
“Parishes and groups are being encouraged to develop Neighbourhood Plans along with the support of local communities in order to have a say, under localism, in how their community is shaped for the foreseeable future. This is at great financial cost, be it in money or time to all involved. Indeed we ourselves are in the final throws of completing our own Joint Local Plan with Plymouth and South Hams. The latest instruction from central Government and what appears to be a not so hidden agenda from the Planning Inspectorate seems to show scant regard to localism and local opinion. One person is able to ride roughshod through the process with a manifesto of building regardless of cost to the two main industries of West Devon, namely agriculture and tourism. When an industry not supported by policy uses a quick fix to diversify and build giving views of row upon row of white boxes. Intensive farming not of animals this time but of humans. With this we lose a little more each time of what makes this landscape unique and attractive.
I would like to ask this Council’s support in writing to our Members of Parliament and the Secretary of State to express our concerns over the disregard to local expectations and opinions and to support the concerns expressed by Parish Councils who feel that consultation is a waste of time. We deserve a say in how our communities are developed and need reassurance that the principle of localism is still a valid one.”