The Vision
Chapter 2. The Vision
Our local plan vision
2.1. By 2042 and beyond East Devon will be a diverse, inclusive and thriving place to live and work and a pleasure to visit and enjoy.
2.2. In responding to the climate emergency we will continue to play our part in what will be an increasingly net zero carbon world. At a local level we will be operating at net zero carbon, minimising energy consumption and maximising renewable energy generation. Communities in East Devon will be adapting to a changing climate.
2.3. We will ensure our urban areas and towns and villages, as they grow to meet future needs, continue to be great places to live and have better access to the surrounding countryside for all. Looking beyond our boundaries we will need to maintain strong relationships with the adjacent city of Exeter and our other neighbours.
2.4. The western side of East Devon will remain a focal point for growth with Cranbrook now well established and thriving. Our second new community will be a council and corporate led development meeting the needs of a growing population. Alongside additional housing, new high-technology and green businesses will continue to invest in the western side of the district securing high quality jobs and training. This development will come forward in an outstanding environment with the expanded and expansive Clyst Valley Regional Park wrapping around new developments.
2.5. Our regenerated town centres will form a focal point for business, social and community activity serving residents and visitors alike. We will secure well-paid jobs in both traditional and emerging sectors closing the gap between average earnings and house prices. We will enhance self-containment of our communities by creating more job opportunities close to where people live.
2.6. Rural East Devon will retain its outstanding charm and character with modest and sensitively planned development to meet the needs of local communities. Farming and rural activities will still dominate the use of land. Where possible we will retain high quality land in agricultural production as we move towards more environmentally sustainable farming practices into the middle decades of the 21st century.
2.7. Across East Devon new development will draw on our outstanding heritage legacy but will also be innovative in design and forward looking to incorporate net zero carbon technologies in new buildings and built spaces. Working with partner bodies we will
strive to secure better facilities, especially where there may be current deficits in provision, including for schools and medical services. This will include in locations where past housing development has occurred without adequate services.
2.8. New, expanded and improved physical, social and community facilities and infrastructure will be delivered alongside development. This will ensure that people live healthier and happier lives with greater access to services and facilities in a cleaner and greener setting. Sustainable transport links, active travel provision and infrastructure connecting communities will be enhanced and provided alongside development. High quality urban spaces, and our existing towns and built development, will link in with enhanced Green Infrastructure, open space and recreational facilities.
2.9. Our beautiful and diverse countryside, National Landscapes, world class Jurassic coast, nature reserves and built heritage assets will be protected and enhanced. We will ensure that alongside new development there is greater care of the natural world with biodiversity improvements and a far richer and more nature friendly tapestry of green spaces in the future. These will support both nature recovery and the health and wellbeing of our communities.
2.10. The plan objectives set a framework for the chapters and specifically the plan policies that follow. The objectives are not in a priority order or ranking and no one carries any more or less weight than any other.
TABLE I. Plan Objectives
Designing for health and wellbeing
Tackling the climate emergency
Meeting future housing needs
Supporting jobs and the economy
Promoting vibrant town centres
Objective 1 To encourage healthy lifestyles and living environments for all East Devon residents.
Objective 2 To ensure all new development moves the district towards delivering net-zero carbon emissions by 2040 and that we adapt to the impacts of climate change.
Objective 3 To provide high quality new homes to meet people’s needs.
Objective 4 To support business investment and job creation opportunities within East Devon and support a resilient economy.
Objective 5 To promote the vitality of our town centres, encourage investment, greater flexibility and a wider range of activities to increase footfall and spend.
Designing beautiful and healthy spaces and buildings
Our outstanding built heritage
Our outstanding natural environment
Promoting sustainable transport
Connections and infrastructure
Supporting sustainable and thriving villages
Objective 6 To promote high quality beautiful development that is designed and constructed to meet 21st century needs.
Objective 7 To conserve and enhance our outstanding built heritage.
Objective 8 To protect and enhance our outstanding natural environment and support an increase in biodiversity.
Objective 9 To prioritise walking, cycling and public transport and make provision for charging electric vehicles
Objective 10 To secure infrastructure needs at an appropriate time to support new development
Objective 11 To help support villages and protect and enhance facilities and services they offer.
2.11. The vision and objectives of the plan, as set out in policies to follow, are captured in the local plan key diagram below.
FIGURE 3 Key Diagram