Councillor Fran McElhone

The first thing I’m doing as a new ward member for Exmouth Halsdon is to get up to speed with the Local Plan…

Here are some basics in the hope it helps you get your head around it:

Every district council creates a Local Plan which sets out the vision for development across its district. They have to align with Government legislation set out in its National Planning Policy Framework.

There have been several rounds of public consultation on the current East Devon Local Plan 2020 – 2042 (which is an update of its 2013 – 2031 version). We’re now on the final stage of the final public consultation phase where local councils seek formal comments on its draft Local Plan before submitting it to a government inspector for examination.

(This is what is meant by ‘second regulation 19’ – don’t you just love council jargon?!)

So, to clarify, it is currently a draft plan. Nothing contained within in it has been passed. However, all of the proposed development sites have been agreed by both council planning officers and the majority of East Devon district councillors, as being viable development sites.

Local Plans take into consideration climate change, housing need, employment need, suitable design, sustainable transport and communications, landscape and conservation protection, recreational and community needs.

You can view the plan here.

You can comment on the Local Plan – by way of the survey – here.

Members of the public can comment on the plan until January 26th 2026.

Exmouth Halsdon

Exmouth has been allocated 1,450 homes and 6.7 hectares of employment land.

There are two proposed development sites in the Halsdon ward; 15 homes for land west of Hulham Road, south of Point-in-View, and 59 homes for land at Coles Field, Hulham Road. (see pages 84/85)