In the last Gazette I wrote of my fear that the Government‘s National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) would lead to massive development of greenfield sites in East Devon (the NPPF removes the requirement to develop “brownfield sites” first). The NPPF official consultation ended on 17 October. Many hundreds of thousands of people objected to the proposals. Although the official consultation has ended, there is still time to ask your MP to press the Government to drop the proposals.

Developers are anticipating rich pickings locally if the NPPF gets the go-ahead. We have already seen greatly increased numbers of planning applications submitted for large housing developments; many more are in the pipeline. Developers frequently quote the NPPF in support of their applications.

Just look at what is happening around Ottery. As I write (things are happening so quickly it is quite possible that other applications will have been submitted by the time you read this), a planning application for 56 houses between Mallocks Close and Otter Close in Tipton is going to appeal, following a refusal by East Devon District Council (EDDC). Subsequently a planning application for 28 houses was submitted for the same site. A planning application was recently submitted for 19 dwellings on land south of Barton Orchard. The forth-coming LDF consultation is likely to propose about 12 houses for Tipton.

West Hill awaits an appeal decision on the Blue Cedars application for 50 houses off Eastfield. An application for 15 dwellings on another piece of land off Eastfield awaits decision at EDDC. An application for 38 homes off West Hill Road was refused by EDDC. The LDF is expected to propose about 36 homes in West Hill.

Feniton seems to be the number one target for would-be developers. A planning application for 122 homes west of Ottery Road is under consideration at EDDC. Proposals for development north of Acland Park, and for development between Green Lane and Station Road are thought to be imminent. These 3 proposals total more than 300 homes. An even larger application for land to the north west of Feniton is anticipated. The LDF is expected to propose about 35 homes for Feniton.

As you will see, the already known developer intentions for Feniton, Tipton and West Hill greatly exceed what the LDF proposes. The very real fear is that much more will follow.

In Ottery there is a further difficulty. A year ago there was considerable objection to the number of houses proposed for Ottery in the LDF. The Town Council and I both told the EDDC LDF Panel that the numbers should be reduced. We both said that there should be a maximum of 300 houses for Ottery, and the preferred area for development was to the west of Ottery. Quite rightly specific pieces of land were not suggested.

At the time of writing the situation is somewhat confused at EDDC. In spite of what OSMTC and I argued for, the EDDC planners advised the LDF Panel at its 4 October meeting to agree 450 houses for Ottery. At that 4 October meeting Cllr Ray Bloxham proposed that the housing provision should be in the 350 to 400 range. However the papers for the 11 October LDF Panel meeting (page 42) show Ottery to get 515 houses.

Planning applications are thought to be imminent for land at Gerway (33 homes); east of Slade Close/Chineway Gardens (141 -188 homes); east of Butts Road/north of Higher Ridgeway (90 - 115 homes); at the Ottermill Switchgear site (about 100 homes); and at Island Farm (I have not been involved in discussions that have been taking place, but I imagine there might be something like 200 homes). If the EDDC LDF proposes such a high number of homes it will be necessary to build to the west of Ottery AND elsewhere.

Nobody disputes the need to provide some homes – especially for our younger and less well-off local people. The issue is how many, and where they should go. The developers‘ housing proposals seem to me to be far far too many and would have very damaging quality of life and countryside effects. In addition there are infrastructure concerns: Feniton School, The Kings School and West Hill School are at capacity. The Coleridge Medical Centre is at capacity. The sewage systems are at capacity. There are very real and very worrying concerns about long term flooding issues (amazingly the NPPF actually weakens planning guidance on flooding).

The Government has been banging the “Localism” drum loudly, and tells us that the local view is important in planning. Feniton Parish Council consulted the community on how it wished to see Feniton develop. The results can be seen in the excellent Feniton Parish Plan of February 2007. Over 70% did not wish to see more houses built.

There is overwhelming evidence to show that Ottery and Tipton and West Hill residents are also concerned about the scale of development they face.

District Councillor Claire Wright (Ottery Rural - Independent) is a member of the LDF Panel and has been doing her best to reduce the amount of development proposed, but has had a real battle on her hands.

I might be accused of cynicism but I am concerned that both EDDC with its LDF, and the Government with the NPPF are merely paying lip-service to the concept of local views deter-mining planning policy.

Our East Devon countryside is very precious, and forms an integral part of our heritage. So is our democratic system. Planning changes - locally and nationally - threaten to erode both. If you share my concerns please contact your MP as soon as possible, and ask him to urge the Government to aban-don this disastrous proposal. You should also respond to the LDF consultation in November.

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Roger Giles