September 20, 2017

Having reviewed the statements received by Examination Hearing participants and having taken legal advice, Mid Devon District Council has requested an adjournment of the Local Plan Hearings originally planned for 26th and 27th September.

These Inspector-led hearings were to consider the proposed leisure, tourism and retail allocation at Junction 27 of the M5 motorway (policy J27) and the housing sites at Higher Town, Sampford Peverell (policy SP2) and at Blundell’s Road, Tiverton (policy TIV16). The Local Plan Inspector Mr Paul Griffiths has granted the adjournment. The Hearings will not take place on these dates. New dates will be set in due course by the Planning Inspector and published when they are known.

Mid Devon District Council considers that this adjournment will provide the opportunity for the council to commission an independent report to review the Sustainability Appraisal of the proposed plan. The Council considers this precautionary additional work will benefit the Examination, aid the Inspector’s decision making, and give additional assurance to all hearing participants and the public that a fair and thorough assessment has been undertaken. An opportunity for public consultation on the findings of this independent assessment will be provided prior to the hearings being reconvened.

More details on the Examination Hearings into the Local Plan are to be found on the Council’s website here https://www.middevon.gov.uk/residents/planning-policy/local-plan-review-examination/