Have Your Say on the Updated Neighbourhood Plan for Clyst St Mary and Sowton

East Devon District Council invites public feedback on the revised Neighbourhood Plan for Clyst St Mary and Sowton, now open for consultation until 17 March 2025.

East Devon District Council invites public feedback on the revised Neighbourhood Plan for Clyst St Mary and Sowton, now open for consultation until 17 March 2025.

Bishops Clyst Parish Council has officially submitted the revised Neighbourhood Plan for Clyst St Mary and Sowton parishes to East Devon District Council. As part of the process, the council is now inviting the public to share their views on the updated plan during a six-week consultation period running until 17 March 2025.

The updated Neighbourhood Plan sets out policies for the future development of the parishes, collectively known as Bishops Clyst. Despite its proximity to the city of Exeter and its location along key routes such as the A30 and A3052, the area maintains its predominantly rural character. The plan aims to respond to development pressures and align with the emerging Local Plan for East Devon. Among its proposals, the plan proposes the allocation of land for up to 72 new homes and introduces several new and modified policies addressing the local community's needs, protecting assets and ensuring sustainability.

Key Features of the Updated Neighbourhood Plan:

• Housing: Allocation of land for up to 72 new homes to support sustainable growth.
• Policies: A raft of new and amended policies related to housing development, the natural and built environment, transport, community facilities and more.
• Design Code: Introduction of a new Design Code to enhance the visual quality of developments.
• Local Green Spaces: Adjustments to the Local Green Spaces designations to ensure the protection of valued areas.

A Planning Document with Local Impact

Once adopted, the Neighbourhood Plan will guide future planning and development decisions for Clyst St Mary, Sowton and surrounding areas within these parishes, influencing both residential and commercial development. It has been developed in response to work to progress a new Local Plan for East Devon (which is currently out for public consultation) and will work alongside the adopted and emerging  local plan, ensuring that local needs and priorities are addressed.

The consultation is an important step before the plan moves to an independent examiner later in the spring. If the examiner deems the plan meets the necessary conditions, it is likely to proceed to a community referendum due to the significance of the changes to the adopted plan for the area. If approved by the majority of voters, the plan will become part of the statutory development framework for East Devon.

Councillor Todd Olive, East Devon District Council’s Portfolio Holder for Strategic Planning said:
“Neighbourhood Plans are a powerful tool to help communities shape their local area. They recognise that every town, village, and parish is different and unique from its neighbours.  Neighbourhood Plans give local people the opportunity to shape development, protect the environment, and cultivate local economic success stories, while preserving what makes our parishes special. I'm delighted to see Bishops Clyst seizing the opportunity to produce a Neighbourhood Plan and strongly encourage local residents to have their say before the plan moves to the next stage.”

Councillor Mike Howe, East Devon District Council’s Ward Councillor for Clyst Valley and Bishops Clyst Parish Councillor, said:

“I am pleased to have supported the community in planning for future development for their benefit. I encourage all residents to read the plan and take this opportunity to make any final comments before it moves to the final stages of plan making.”

Consultation Details:

The consultation runs until 9am on 17 March 2025, and local residents are encouraged to review the plan and submit their feedback. Supporting documents, including a comments form, are available online on both East Devon District Council and Bishops Clyst Parish Council websites. Hard copies of the plan can also be viewed at the following locations:

• Exeter Central Library
• Clyst St Mary Village Hall (Mon to Wed)
• East Devon District Council Offices, Honiton (by appointment)

To submit comments, please send your feedback via email to planningpolicy@eastdevon.gov.uk, or by post to:
Planning Policy Team,
East Devon District Council,
Blackdown House, Border Road,
Honiton, EX14 1EJ.

For any queries, please contact the Planning Policy Team at 01395 571740.

For more details and to access the full set of consultation documents, visit East Devon Neighbourhood Plan Page.