Ideas to shape the future QUALITY OF DEVELOPMENT
This is an interesting one and important. Many of the ideas proposed are “Garden City Principles” and are broadly positive ambitions. The detail lies in the LANGUAGE used. Please use the following suggestions to guide your comments >
“Distinctive development” must ensure the protection of local identity and character. Strict penalties for damage, degradation, encroachment and endangerment of green
infrastructure, wildlife habitats and biodiversity should be rigorously enforced. We’ve learnt the hard way from the Home Farm development in Pinhoe that a ‘distinctive’ development must be required to respect the landscape of its setting.
Exeter’s natural and historic environment should be formally protected and its locally distinct heritage formally evaluated by a process of consultation with communities and experts before enhancement Again, an emphasis on community engagement to underpin development decisions with local democracy – not just optional Neighbourhood Planning which requires tremendous investment from community members, but policy protection from the Local Plan
Communities must be consulted regarding opportunities for infrastructure development. Want to have a say about infrastructure investment in your community? This one’s for you!
Provision of green spaces should be underpinned by the following:
> Enhanced developer contributions to support the city’s green infrastructure network should be written into the Local Plan’s ideas for future development, underlining their value as core assets and integral to the Net Zero vision
> Green spaces should remain in public ownership and not ceded to developer management companies; development should be conditional on sustainable funding models
> Management of green spaces should be sustainably funded and the successful partnership with the Devon Wildlife Trust extended as part of developing resilience to future change
> Exeter’s green spaces should be audited and mapped to ensure and maintain high standards of wildlife habitats and biodiverse environments
Some important clarification which takes the Plan’s intentions beyond “provision”. Please include this one if you can