25 July 2012 - East Devon District Council

*21 Public question time (continued)
20
Meeting of the Council, 25 July 2012
Lindsay Smallman, (representing M.J. Gleeson), made reference to the Heathfield
Manor site in Honiton which the Development Management Committee at its
Special Meeting on 17 July 2012 had recommended not to be allocated for
housing allocation due to its poor access and siting within the Area of Outstanding
Natural Beauty. She advised that this was the Town Council‟s preferred site and
asked for any decision against the site to be delayed for consultation. She
believed that the planning issues could be addressed through a master-plan.
Councillor David Foster, Mayor of Honiton added that Honiton had not been
properly represented at the Special Meeting; he felt that the decision had been
made with insufficient local input. He asked the Council to take into account local
feeling and knowledge and to give the Town Council the opportunity to consider
the proposed changes to the Plan.
The Chairman invited the Chairman of Development Management to respond.
Councillor Williamson recognised the particular topographical problems in Honiton
which constrained development. He advised that Natural England opposed the
development of the Heathfield Manor site and thought it unlikely that an exception
to development within the AONB would be approved by Government. Although
development to the east would be preferable to avoid elongating Honiton further,
the Council could only consider land for development that was deliverable.
Sandra Semple, Seaton resident referred to the motion at Agenda item 10 in
respect of the East Devon Business Forum. She accused members of the Forum
of „fettering their discretion‟ and said that they should not be allowed to take part in
decisions on planning applications, plan making or site allocation. She referred to
the Forum as a lobby group who should not be allowed to influence Council policy.
The Chairman responded by advising that the Business Forum would be debated
later on the agenda and that she should refer concerns to the Council‟s Monitoring
Officer.
Emily McIvor, Member of the Green Party, said that economic activity could be
environmentally benign and even beneficial; the Local Plan should reflect this.
She felt that support should be given to small and micro business in the area. She
saw untapped potential for Green Tourism. She referred to the unpredictability of
the future including food provision, climate change and economic problems and
said that the Local Plan should reflect and help address this uncertainty.
Henry Gent, Member of the Green Party, said that the Local Plan needed to
recognise the implications of climate change and to take steps to reduce its
impact. Concerns expressed by Devon County Council and the Environment
Agency needed to be fully considered, particularly in respect of further
development on flood plains.
In response, Councillor Andrew Moulding, Portfolio Holder – Strategic
Development and Partnerships confirmed that climate change had been properly
considered with the Local Plan process. He advised that planning took into
account changing circumstance and gave the example of the Exmouth Master
Plan. This would be considered in detail throughout its delivery together with
Environment Agency advice in respect of the flood plain.