North Devon and Torridge district councils are calling on their communities to identify potential sites for development, as they work to prepare a new local plan for the area.

The councils are inviting landowners, developers, residents and community groups to help identify land that could support sustainable development across northern Devon. 

The call for sites is being launched alongside the publication of a new Housing and Economic Land Availability Assessment (HELAA). The HELAA assesses the potential for sites already identified by the councils to deliver new homes and land for employment. However, to ensure the new local plan can meet the significantly increased housebuilding targets recently introduced by the Government, it is anticipated the councils will need to explore a wider range of potential sites than those already identified in the HELAA.

With the help of local communities, the councils want to understand the availability and potential suitability of additional land which could deliver affordable housing and employment opportunities. The councils are also keen to identify land for a wide range of other uses including community facilities, natural green spaces and other infrastructure that is vital to build and support thriving communities. Anyone is welcome to suggest potential opportunities for development, including ‘brownfield’ sites and other disused land that could be put to better use.

Councillor Bob Hicks, Lead Member for Economy and Estates at Torridge District Council, said: "The local plan is a pivotal piece of work that affects everyone in North Devon and Torridge, as it is the blueprint that sets out how we would like our communities to evolve over the coming years. As part of this we are calling on everyone – from landowners and developers to community groups and residents – to help us identify land that could provide new homes and job opportunities, deliver key infrastructure and services, and support the well-being of our communities. 

"This call for sites helps us understand the options available, what land might be suitable for development and what needs to be protected."

Councillor Malcolm Prowse, Lead Member for Regeneration, Economic Development and Planning at North Devon Council, said: “We recognise that many people feel there has already been significant amounts of house building in the region. However, we will work hard to ensure that any new proposals are carefully considered and any additional housing is well designed, sensibly located, and contributes to local affordable housing and infrastructure needs while meeting the ambitious targets that are imposed on us.

"Putting a site forward to us doesn't automatically rubber-stamp it for development. We will work closely with communities and stakeholders throughout the preparation of the new plan to ensure any land earmarked for future growth will support development which genuinely responds to the economic, social and environmental needs of our local area."

You can take part in the call for sites exercise by visiting torridge.gov.uk/callforsites or northdevon.gov.uk/callforsites. More information about the HELAA, including a map of identified sites, can be found on North Devon and Torridge's People and Place portal by visiting torridge.gov.uk/helaareport or northdevon.gov.uk/helaareport