TWO local villages, Lapford and Newton St Cyres, are among those in Mid Devon working on developing neighbourhood plans.

Ahead of these two villages on whether another Mid Devon village wants to accept a proposed neighbourhood plan is Willand.

The plan for Willand has been drafted by the parish, and has since undergone a compulsory inspection by an independent examiner.

With that process complete, it is nearing the stage at which a referendum can be held to see whether Willand residents approve or reject the plan.

A neighbourhood plan is essentially a locally driven document that guides how the village or town would like to develop in the next decade and beyond.

It gives residents a say on aspects such as where new homes or commercial buildings might go, what they look like, and what infrastructure is provided.

Mid Devon District Council’s planning, environment and sustainability policy development group (PDG) has acknowledged the progress made in Willand’s plan, and accepted the minor alterations implemented by the external examiner.

The PDG subsequently agreed to send the neighbourhood plan onto Mid Devon’s cabinet, recommending approval.

The cabinet will consider Willand’s neighbourhood plan on Tuesday, January 7, and if it approves it, then Willand can conduct a referendum, which based on timelines set by government regulations, would mean the poll taking place on Thursday, February 27.

Four neighbourhood plans exist in Mid Devon already, with the three main towns of Tiverton, Cullompton and Crediton having them, as well as Silverton.

The Crediton Plan now forms part of the statutory development plan for the Crediton area, alongside the Mid Devon Local Plan and the Devon Waste and Minerals Plans, and carries full weight for guiding planning applications submitted to the Council for determination and the decisions made on these.

Bradley Gerrard

LDRS

Additional reporting by Alan Quick