Clyst Honiton Neighbourhood Plan Officially Adopted by East Devon District Council

The plan is now a fully adopted part of the statutory development plan, alongside the East Devon Local Plan, and will be used to guide planning decisions within the designated Neighbourhood Area.

This milestone marks the culmination of years of work by Clyst Honiton Parish Council, supported by local community volunteers. It follows extensive consultation with local residents, an independent examination, and the referendum vote, which saw a clear majority of the community express their support for the Plan, where 84% of voters backed the plan.

A Vision for a Thriving Community

Clyst Honiton has seen significant change in recent years with the development of the nearby new town of Cranbrook, the Clyst Honiton bypass, and the strategic employment areas of Skypark and Exeter Logistics Park. Despite its proximity to these large developments and Exeter Airport, the area remains mostly rural, with the plan’s vision focused on maintaining this identity.

The vision of the Clyst Honiton Neighbourhood Plan is to create a positive future for those living and working in the area, where wellbeing is enhanced by spaces that foster strong community and business connections. The community aims for Clyst Honiton to be an attractive, friendly, and safe place, where a diverse community can thrive and value the area’s rich river and rural landscape.

Key Policies of the Neighbourhood Plan

The Plan includes a number of key policies designed to shape the future development of the area, including:

• A small site allocation for housing in Clyst Honiton village to help meet local housing needs and ensure that future developments align with the community’s vision.
• Support for employment use on various sites within the village, helping to create jobs and support local businesses.
• Protection of locally important green spaces, ensuring that the natural environment is preserved for future generations.
• Policy support for a new community facility, potentially brought forward through a Community Development Order, to enhance local amenities.

The Neighbourhood Plan will provide the Parish Council with greater influence over future development, giving it an enhanced level of receipts from the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) on new developments within the Plan area. The policies of the Plan will carry ‘full weight’ when considering planning applications in the parish up to 2031.

A Leading Example of Neighbourhood Planning in East Devon

With the adoption of Clyst Honiton’s Neighbourhood Plan, East Devon District Council now has 27 formally adopted Neighbourhood Plans, making the district one of the leading areas in the country for neighbourhood planning. This latest achievement underscores the continued success of the neighbourhood planning process in empowering local communities to have a greater say in the development of their areas.

Ed Freeman, Assistant Director of Planning Strategy and Development Management at East Devon District Council said, “We are extremely proud of the progress made in East Devon, with Clyst Honiton’s Neighbourhood Plan being the latest in a growing number of plans that have been adopted. This success is a testament to the hard work and dedication of local communities across the district. Neighbourhood planning remains a vital tool for communities to shape their own future and guide development in a way that meets their needs.”

The Neighbourhood Plan and related documents are available for viewing on the East Devon District Council website at: https://eastdevon.gov.uk/planning/planning-policy/neighbourhood-and-community-plans/neighbourhood-plans/neighbourhood-plans-being-produced-in-east-devon/clyst-honiton-made/. Hard copies can also be viewed by appointment at the Council Offices at Blackdown House, Honiton.