HAVING reviewed the statements received by those taking part in the Examination Hearing, and having taken legal advice, Mid Devon District Council has requested an adjournment of the Mid Devon Local Plan Review 2013-2033 Hearings.

The hearings were due to be held at Phoenix House, Tiverton on September 26 and 27.

The Inspector-led hearings were to consider the proposed leisure, tourism and retail allocation at Junction 27 of the M5 motorway (policy J27) and the housing sites at Higher Town, Sampford Peverell (policy SP2) and at Blundell’s Road, Tiverton (policy TIV16).

The Local Plan Inspector, Mr Paul Griffiths, granted the adjournment, which means that the hearings will not take place on these dates.

New dates will be set in due course by the Planning Inspector and published when they are known.

Mid Devon District Council says it considers that this adjournment will provide the opportunity for the council to commission an independent report to review the Sustainability Appraisal of the proposed plan.

The council considers this precautionary additional work will benefit the Examination, aid the Inspector’s decision making, and give additional assurance to all those taking part in the hearings, and the public, that a fair and thorough assessment has been undertaken.

An opportunity for public consultation on the findings of this independent assessment will be provided prior to the hearings being reconvened.

More details on the Examination Hearings into the Local Plan can to be found on Mid Devon District Council’s website: https://www.middevon.gov.uk/residents/planning-policy/local-plan-review-examination/ .

Mid Devon District Council submitted its new Local Plan to the Planning Inspectorate for examination at the end of March 2017.

The new Local Plan will deliver much-needed new homes, jobs, schools, vital transport infrastructure including improved motorway access and important strategic environmental enhancement schemes such as flood alleviation projects.

It provides protection for the district’s local green spaces, historic environment and landscapes.

The submission to the Planning Inspectorate also includes the council’s proposals for the funding of infrastructure from development (the Community Infrastructure Levy Draft Charging Schedule). This will also be independently examined at the same time as the Local Plan.

Alan Quick