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Ideas to shape the FUTURE PATTERN OF DEVELOPMENT

What does this mean? The Plan lists “ideas” based on Exeter as a “Garden City” > this means there is government support to ensure the city grows in a sustainable way with high quality development for local communities.

The ideas are very broad in scope and use language which gives the Council a lot of wriggle room

This box is the space for comments to tie ambitions to more secure intentions backed by policy. Here are some suggestions:

Nature Recovery Networks should be prioritised over smaller developments on the edge of the city. Exeter’s Fringes present an opportunity for a connected landscape of green spaces with a ‘wildbelt’ around the city. The value of the Exeter Fringes were referenced in the last Local Plan and should be re-evaluated to support the sustainable vision of the new Plan. This needs to replace the intention for “smaller developments on the edge of the city” which gives no direction of protection

“Steering development away from sensitive environmental areas” should be replaced by “strategic protection for the city’s green skyline and connecting green spaces” as distinctive landscapes with social, environmental and carbon capture value through emerging economic, investment and management models Again, language is so important here. Cut and paste this one if you value the Green Skyline please!

Public rights of way should be developed, connected and formally protected as part of proposals to maximise walking and cycling networks For anyone who supports sustainable travel and wants to see public rights of way protected as connecting routes across the city. The ideas presented suggest “locating development to maximise walking, cycling and public transport” – very important and good to support, but in need of detail to ensure the protection of existing rights of way. Historic routes have been lost in Pinhoe, with no community consultation or alternative.

Comments on the VISION statement of the Local Plan

The new plan proposes Exeter as ‘a leading sustainable city and global leader in addressing the challenges of climate change and urbanisation’. This is supported by a Corporate Plan with 7 key elements: for Exeter to be “analytical and innovative”, “healthy and inclusive”, “the most active city” with “world-class education” as a “liveable and connected” and “leading sustainable” city supported by a rich cultural life.

Here are some suggestions to put green infrastructure at the heart of the vision >

The unique contribution of green infrastructure and its vital role in Exeter’s transition to a low carbon future should be formally recognised, protected and enhanced across all of the vision statements and policy commitments, aims and planning directives in this new Local Plan. Adding this to your comments in this section would help to place green infrastructure at the heart of the Local Plan Vision – shifting the city’s green spaces to the front and centre of policy development and underlining their immense social value to everyone living in Exeter

Exeter’s green spaces should be connected across the city to provide an integrated network of prioritised public access points. This green network should underpin the vision for Exeter to be the most active and accessible city in England, integral to the ambitions of the Corporate Plan to promote active healthy lifestyles By adding this to your comments on the Plan’s Vision, you shift the value of green spaces to the centre of policy commitments

The Local Plan proposals centre on a vision for GROWTH. But there are exciting new economic models that are far more reflective of sustainable approaches to future challenges. These models centre on the importance of creating the conditions for THRIVING communities. This change in language could begin an important shift in local policies.

The need for a change in thinking is flagged in the Council’s own appraisal of previous Local Plans, where it recognises the need to “rethink how high streets function”. Moving the emphasis to thriving neighbourhoods would enable a funding shift away from the city centre and towards infrastructure support for local neighbourhoods.

If you believe that a change in direction which puts support for communities at the heart of the vision for Exeter, now is the time and this is the question box to have your say. If you want to know more about the new economics, have a look at Doughnut Economics – it’s even been on EastEnders 😉

“Are the issues discussed in the proposed Local Plan the main issues facing Exeter? Are there any which should be changed, added or removed?“

Another massively open-ended question! But let’s focus on the opportunity to have your say on anything you feel is under threat in your area – it could be local services, or problems with traffic, maybe you feel HEALTH SERVICES need greater priority, or facilities for young people should be prioritised. This is where you should add anything you feel strongly about. Using your own words is often really powerful.

Here are some suggestions with a Pinhoe perspective >

1. Opportunities for a Nature Recovery Network connecting Exeter’s Valley Parks to the Clyst Valley Regional Park should be added to the strategic vision for the Local Plan by incorporating a protected Ridgeline Park as a ‘wildbelt’ across the Northern Hills

2. Formal protection for the Northern Hills landscape with policy commitments to safeguard land across the adjacent Exeter Fringes from development

3. Commitments to build on the successful partnership with Devon Wildlife Trust should be included, celebrating the success of Exeter Wild City, the Valley Parks and Saving Devon’s Treescapes

4. An evidence-based approach for healthy air and noise pollution levels should drive Local Plan targets, in line with World Health Organisation advice

5. Community consultation and social value should be incorporated as directional forces when considering “the right way, time and place” for infrastructure development. We note the vague language of the Local Plan which neither acknowledges the role of local residents or the importance of social value considerations.

5a. Commitments to secure funding to build the Pinhoe Community Hub should be included as essential infrastructure development – it’s not on the list at the moment and should be considered urgent and essential

Anything else you think should be included? Contact mail@portfoliofive.co.uk