Questions and Answers about the Neighbourhood Plan

Your social media questions answered… We’ve received many direct messages and comments regarding Exmouth’s proposed Neighbourhood Plan via our Facebook page. Below, we’ve shared some of your questions and our responses. We’ll be updating this page as more questions come through to us. Who are the people behind the Exmouth Neighbourhood Plan? There is a steering group that has been set up to guide the Exmouth Neighbourhood Plan. The group’s chair is chaired Roy Pryke, with Ian Cann as vice-chair. Both are local residents and are long-serving volunteers in community organisations. Administrative support for the project is from Ann Howard. The steering group is made up of a councillor from each Exmouth ward, plus individuals from interested community groups and organisations. A full list will be included in the next draft of the Consultation Document (available from the end of August 2017). Why is this process different – and will local councils listen? Yes, because Neighbourhood Plans are different from other plans that have gone before. The process requires community involvement – as local residents are given opportunities to have their say about how Exmouth develops over the coming years. When completed and adopted, the Exmouth Neighbourhood Plan will then be a legally binding document that will sit alongside East Devon District Council’s Local Plan. Together these plans will have a binding influence on the planning process. Ultimately, local residents will get to vote on a final version of the Exmouth Neighbourhood Plan at a referendum in Spring 2019. Does the Exmouth Neighbourhood Plan address the Seafront/Queens Drive Development? Yes, the plan does include the seafront with particular reference to the Queens Drive Development. The latest Consultation Document (available from the end of August 2017) includes a draft planning policy related to Queens Drive. In creating this draft policy many groups have been consulted. As with all the ideas in the Consultation Document, we welcome comments from all Exmouth residents and interested parties. While the Exmouth Neighbourhood Plan is not able to reverse planning decisions already made in relation to the Queens Drive Development, it is expected to influence the way the planning policies are implemented. How will copies of the latest Consultation Document be distributed? It will be available electronically from 1st September 2017. You will be able to download a copy from this website, along with a Comments Form. A paper version of the Comments Form can also be obtained from the Exmouth Town Council Office at 44 Rolle Street from 8 September. The Consultation Document will be available to view at the Town Council and the Library from 8 September. Printed copies of both will also be available to view at the 19th September public consultation event at Ocean in Exmouth. What if people cannot make it to September’s consultation event? If you’re unable to attend, you can still put questions to the Exmouth Neighbourhood Plan team via email at npsg@exmouth.gov.uk, over the phone on 01395 276167, or through our Facebook page (/exmouthneighbourhoodplan) or Twitter @ExmouthNplan You can also write to us as at Exmouth Town Council Offices, 44 Rolle Street, Exmouth EX8 2SH or feel free to talk to your local Town Councillor – details are at www.exmouth.gov.uk Please note that if you wish your comments to be considered as part of the Consultation they need to be submitted on the Comments Form by 30 September. This is available at the Exmouth Neighbourhood Plan website www.exmouthneighbourhoodplan.uk, or as a paper copy from Exmouth Town Council or Exmouth Library.