THERE’S a final chance to comment on changes to the Teignbridge Local Plan.

Residents have until December 22 to give their views on the ‘local plan addendum’ which features changes to the plan introduced following feedback from more than 1,000 people in a consultation held earlier this year. 

This will be the sixth chance since 2017 to have a say on how the plan is shaped. 

After the December 22 deadline, all comments received will be sent to the Planning Inspectorate for an examination in public next year.

The plan sets out a 20-year ‘vision’ for future development in the district and details the policies which will help the authority deliver homes and jobs for local people as well as its environmental and climate change goals.

The Addendum contains changes made to the Local Plan in the light of feedback from this year’s consultation such as the removal of proposed housing sites at Newfoundland Way Car Park in Newton Abbot and Le Molay Littry Way in Bovey Tracey.

It also includes a new Design Code for the west of Newton Abbot and updated information such as new sustainability appraisals, environmental, heritage and habitat assessments as well as detailed modelling of the impact that the Plan’s proposals will have on local and major road networks.

Teignbridge’s priority to build on previously developed or under-used land is not affected by the changes and proposed locations for most new homes remain close to jobs, services and sustainable transport or in local villages where small site development will help sustain local services.

The Addendum also includes the latest house building numbers required by Government of 720 homes to be built annually, a reduction of 429 homes over the lifetime of the Plan.

The latest consultation is a final chance to comment on the latest changes included but not on the wider Local Plan proposals which have already been consulted on.

Executive Member for Planning Cllr Gary Taylor said: ‘We have made some significant improvements to the Local Plan in the light of feedback from the consultation earlier this year and I would encourage local residents to look at these and let us have their views on the changes.

‘Our aim is to have a Local Plan that meets our statutory obligations and ensures that economic and housing development can only take place in areas identified by the council and not as a result of planning system appeals.’

The best way for people to comment is by using the online form which ensures all the information needed by the Planning Inspectorate has been completed. 

For anyone without online access, paper forms can be obtained from parish council offices or on request by contacting the Local Plan Team on [email protected] or by calling 01626 215754