Planning policy

Consultation on the draft North Devon and Torridge Local Plan has ended. Publication of the local plan will take place later this year.

Key information

The draft local plan (2011 to 2031): this document will replace the adopted local plan; for the first time, North Devon Council and Torridge District Council have agreed to prepare their next local plans jointly and provide a 20 year plan for the area to 2031
Neighbourhood plans: information on preparing neighbourhood plans
Evidence, statistics and monitoring: includes annual monitoring reports such as land availability reports and local plan evidence studies such as the Housing Market Assessment (SHMA) and the Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA)
The adopted local plan (1995 to 2011): this local plan and its supporting documents help us determine planning applications

All councils are required to produce a local plan with the aim of providing a more flexible planning system that adapts to changing priorities and which seeks to secure sustainable development.

The local plan sets out how we will plan the future development of North Devon and Torridge districts. It will guide new developments to appropriate locations, while protecting our natural environment and built heritage, and provides guidance on how to submit planning applications.

The local plan is shaped by the government’s National Planning Policy Framework

, the top tier of planning policy. The framework provides guidance to local authorities and other agencies on planning policy and the operation of the planning system.

It covers issues such as:

housing
economic growth
heritage
sustainable development
biodiversity
transport
waste management and open space
sport and recreation

The timetable for the emerging North Devon and Torridge Local Plan is outlined in the diagram below:

Local Plan timescale

Contact information

For planning policy enquiries, contact:

Planning Policy team
Civic Centre
North Walk
Barnstaple
Devon EX31 1EA

Telephone: 01271 388392
For Typetalk: precede with 18001
Email: localplan@northdevon.gov.uk
Webform: Local plan consultation