MID Devon District Council has launched a consultation as it works towards planning the future of Mid Devon for decades to come.

The current Mid Devon Local Plan was adopted by the Council in July 2020 and has a lifespan up to 2033.

This plan helps guide multi-million pound investment across the district and provides greater certainty about where new homes, employment, schools, roads and other supporting infrastructure will be located.

It will also help Mid Devon District Council regenerate our town centres, including, Crediton, Tiverton and Cullompton, and protect and enhance those parts of Mid Devon where people do not wish to see un-planned development taking place, including the open countryside and high quality landscapes.

While there is a current, and recent Local Plan, there is a legal requirement for a review of this document to be completed within five years.

To achieve this, Mid Devon District Council has started the preparation of Plan Mid Devon 2023-2043 now.

This is where the district council needs the public’s help.

The consultation on the Plan’s Issues Paper was launched on January 31. The Issues Paper provides more information about planning and the matters affecting Mid Devon and is the first stage in preparing a new local plan.

MDDC would like you to tell it what issues you think are most relevant and important to you and your community, and which should be given greatest priority in Mid Devon as it plans for the period up to 2043.

The Issues Paper sets out what MDDC thinks could be the six priorities for the district and it has a series of videos and events where the public can find out more about each one, as well as a survey to help MDDC understand its views.

Cllr Richard Chesterton, Cabinet Member for Planning and Regeneration, said: “We are always striving to secure a prosperous and bright future for our district and we must continually plan in order to achieve this.

“The local plan process is an ongoing process and one that relies on our communities speaking up about their views.”

MDDC’s six priorities are:

• Responding to climate change and moving to a net zero carbon future

• Delivering development, infrastructure and regeneration

• Addressing housing affordability, improving choice

• Protecting and enhancing the natural and built environment

• Improving health and well-being

• Supporting rural vitality and a prosperous rural economy.

To read a summary of the Issues Paper, the full document or to complete the survey visit: Plan Mid Devon - MIDDEVON.GOV.UK : https://www.middevon.gov.uk/residents/planning-policy/plan-mid-devon/ .

You can also join MDDC for an online Zoom event:

Monday, February 7, 3.30pm-4.30pm

Thursday, February 10, 6pm-7pm. (focusing on climate change)

Monday, February 14, 10.30am to 11.30am.

Wednesday, February 16, 6pm-7pm (focusing on housing).

With the lifting of Plan B restrictions MDDC also hopes to hold public drop in sessions and details will be announced soon.

If you need help accessing the survey or any of the documents please telephone 01884 255255 or email: [email protected] .