HEARINGS into Mid Devon’s Local Plan Review will begin on Thursday, February 14 and are scheduled to go on until Wednesday, February 20. They will be held at Phoenix House, Tiverton and begin at 9.30am each day.

The Inspector, Mr Paul Griffiths, appointed by the government to rule on the Mid Devon Local Plan Review, held two days of preliminary examinations in September 2018, when he considered Policy Junction 27, Higher Town Sampford Peverell and Blundell’s School Tiverton.

Mr Griffiths wrote to Mid Devon District Council in October 2018 where he expressed support in principle to the Council’s approach to these policies.

Following this, he has set the date for the main hearings to begin on Thursday, February 14 and to take place over four days.

The first hearing session, on February 14, will discuss the Local Plan Review’s broad strategy and matters relating to housing, employment, town centres and the environment.

On Friday, February 15, the hearing will deal with Tiverton, Cullompton, Crediton and the rural areas.

The following week, on Tuesday, February 19, there will be a hearing on detailed development management policies covering a wide range of matters such as ensuring good design, protecting the environment and landscape.

On Wednesday, February 20, the Inspector will consider the detailed wording of polices on Junction 27 and Higher Town in the light of his earlier conclusions, as well as any other matters that may arise.

Councillor Richard Chesterton, Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Development said: “We are pleased and excited that the Local Plan Hearings will take place in February.

"We look forward to explaining the Council’s case to the Inspector. The Local Plan Review provides a strong framework that will meet the area’s needs for homes and jobs whilst protecting Mid Devon’s environment and ensuring our town centres remain vibrant.

"The Local Plan Review has been developed in consultation with local communities and guides development to the right places and ensures that they are great places to live, work or visit”.

The Local Plan Review 2013-33 was submitted to the Secretary of State for Examination in March 2017.

Preliminary hearings took place on September 20 and 21, 2018 and the Inspector’s initial conclusions can be read at: https://www.middevon.gov.uk/media/346288/id08-mid-devon-local-plan-examination-inspectors-letter-29oct2018.pdf .

Further details on the Local Plan Review and Examination Hearings programme can be read at: https://www.middevon.gov.uk/residents/planning-policy/local-plan-review-examination/ .