1. Explaining the Exeter Plan
What is the Exeter Plan?
1.1 The Exeter Plan will shape the future of Exeter for the next twenty years up to 2041 and will be the basis for how the city continues to evolve and meet the needs of the community.
1.2 The Exeter Plan is the Local Plan for Exeter. It will be the main planning policy document for the city, setting out where development should take place and providing the policies which will be used in making decisions on planning applications. Once adopted, it will replace the current planning policies in the Core Strategy (adopted 2012) and the Local Plan First Review (adopted 2005).
How have we got here?
1.3 The City Council started work on the Exeter Plan in 2020. The Plan was launched in autumn 2021 with an Issues consultation which explained the key issues for the Plan to address and started to look at what the pattern of development in the city might look like in future. The next round of consultation was held on an Outline Draft Plan in late 2022, which presented a series of strategic planning policies and potential development sites Then in October 2023 the City Council consulted on the Full Draft Plan. This provided a full set of draft policies and suggested site allocations.
1.4 Between January and December 2024 work progressed on further evidence and Plan drafting to produce this Publication Draft of the Exeter Plan.
What is the Publication Draft of the Exeter Plan?
1.5 The Publication Draft is the third version of the Exeter Plan It builds on the previous Full Draft of the Plan and includes the vision, a revised set of topic based planning policies to be used to make decisions on planning applications and a series of development allocations for a mix of uses including housing and employment. It also includes a Policies Map which shows the extent of spatial designations and proposals contained within the Plan. The responses provided to the previous consultations have been used to revise the Plan.
1.6 Where policies are vital to the delivery of the spatial strategy, key development and infrastructure proposals and are associated with cross-boundary matters, they are identified as ‘strategic policies’. Where policies cover more detailed matters, they are considered to be non-strategic. Neighbourhood Plans can also include non-strategic policies. The differentiation between strategic and non-strategic policies is a requirement of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).
1.7 The Exeter Plan has been split into topic based chapters to help achieve a usable layout. Nevertheless, it is important that no chapter or policy is read in isolation. Any proposals for development need to comply with all relevant policies in the Plan
Plan period: 2021-2041
1.8 Previous versions of the Exeter Plan covered the twenty year period between 2020 and 2040. This version of the Plan has evolved and it now covers the period between 2021 and 2041 (2021/22 to 2040/41). This is to ensure that the policies look ahead over a minimum fifteen year period from adoption, as required by the NPPF.
Key Diagram and Policies Map
1.9 The Exeter Plan includes a key diagram. This is a schematic plan which shows broad locations of development together with key features in the city.
1.10 The Plan is also accompanied by a Policies Map which sits alongside it. This is a more detailed map which shows land-use designations and allocations and acts as a visual representation of the policies in the Plan.
The local planning policy context
1.11 The Exeter Plan will replace the adopted 2005 Local Plan First Review and the adopted 2012 Core Strategy as the principal planning policy document covering the city. However, the Plan sits within a wide context of planning policies and links with the work of many organisations.
1.12 The preparation of the Exeter Plan sits within a broader planning context that spans various levels of government and different geographies. The NPPF, which establishes the framework for sustainable development nationwide, is at the heart of this planning context. The NPPF places a strong emphasis on striking a balance between social, environmental and economic objectives - a balance that the Exeter Plan seeks to achieve. Planning Practice Guidance provides further information about how these overarching policies should be implemented in more detail
1.13 Devon County Council plays a significant role in the function and provision of public services in Exeter. It serves as both the minerals planning authority and waste planning authority, with the Devon Minerals Plan and Devon Waste Plan forming part of the development plan for Exeter. Additionally, Devon County Council is the local education, local transport and lead local flood authority. The Exeter Plan has been developed through close discussions with Devon County Council in relation to these roles.
1.14 The Exeter Plan is further informed by its relationship with the local plans for neighbouring East Devon, Mid Devon, and Teignbridge District Councils. When it comes to addressing cross-border issues like employment, housing, transportation, infrastructure and environmental matters, partnership working is essential. The collaborative planning efforts between Exeter and the other District Councils are crucial for creating a cohesive development strategy for the wider area. This subregional perspective is essential in managing the pressures of housing demand, job creation and infrastructure development while preserving the character and environmental integrity of the wider area. A joint strategy called ‘Our Shared Coordinates’ has been produced to cover Exeter and the wider area.
1.15 At a more local level there is currently one Neighbourhood Plan in Exeter covering the St James area. This community level of planning helps to ensure that, as Exeter expands, it will keep its distinct identity and continue to serve its citizens’ needs.
1.16 Several other organisations also have a role in, and influence over, the city and planning policy in Exeter. These include the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) which is responsible for protecting and enhancing the marine environment and is marine planning authority in its own right; National Highways, which manages the Strategic Road Network connecting Exeter to the wider region and country; the Environment Agency, which oversees flood risk management and regulates against pollution; Natural England, which is responsible for enhancing and preserving natural environments; and Historic England, which safeguards the historic environment As well as having their own legislative responsibilities in relation to planning, these organisations contribute to shaping the Exeter Plan so that it balances growth with preserving and enhancing the local natural, built and historic environments
National planning reforms
1.17 During the summer of 2024 the new Government held a consultation on significant national planning reforms. These included a proposed revised NPPF, updated housing requirements for each local planning authority area and transitional arrangements to manage the move to the new regime.
1.18 Because the Exeter Plan has progressed to Publication Plan stage before the updated NPPF is published by the Government following consultation, the Plan accords with the December 2023 version of the NPPF. The Plan also meets the housing requirements which were set out prior to the 2024 national consultation.
Publication process
1.19 The Publication Draft Plan is published for comment between December 2024 and February 2025 The Publication process must meet the requirements of Regulation 19 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Plan) (England) Regulations 2012. Therefore responses (‘representations’) are required to conclude on whether the content of the Plan (policies, allocations, general text) is:
• Legally compliant;
• Sound; and
• Complies with the duty to cooperate.
1.20 Whether or not the content of the Plan is sound is considered through tests of soundness. The NPPF defines these tests to be whether the Plan is:
• Positively prepared;
• Justified;
• Effective; and
• Consistent with national policy.
1.21 Representations on the soundness of the plan can be made online, by email and by filling in a paper copy of the representation form.
Next steps
1.22 After the Publication process has ended, the City Council will review the representations, continue to compile evidence for the Plan and then submit the Plan for Examination by the Planning Inspectorate
1.23 The City Council will submit the following to the Planning Inspectorate:
• The Exeter Plan;
• The evidence base for the Plan, including the Sustainability Appraisal and the Habitats Regulation Assessment;
• The representations made during the Publication process; and
• Various other formal documents.
1.24 After submission, a Planning Inspector will host a series of Examination hearing sessions in public to decide whether the Plan needs any changes before if it can be adopted by the City Council. If changes that would materially affect the Plan are required, a further consultation will be organised before the Plan is adopted.
1.25 The Examination is likely to take place in 2025, with adoption likely in 2026
