Devon Labour Devon County Labour
On March 15, East Devon Constituency Labour Party (CLP) and Tiverton and Honiton CLP submitted a joint response to East Devon District Council (EDDC)’s Local Plan.
The Local Plan shows how an area will develop in the future and provides policies which will guide decisions on whether or not planning applications are granted. EDDC’s local plan was open to public consultation between 18 January to the 15 March. It will influence EDDC policy decisions from 2021 to 2040.
Labour Party members from across the district came together to develop the response and influence the future of the area.
In it’s response, the two CLPs emphasised and favoured policies that benefit East Devon residents such as the need for both affordable and carbon neutral housing. It also considered many policies to ensure East Devon protects the environment by introducing carbon saving measures such as electric car charging points and building more cycle paths.
On jobs, the CLPs strongly support more high technology jobs and more jobs overall, with an emphasis on well-paid, high-skilled jobs provided by small to medium size companies. This is as well as increasing the resilience of the agricultural and traditional sectors through diversification.
Oliver Tucker, Axminister Town Councillor commented, “I’m really pleased to have helped write Labour’s response to the Local Plan consultation. This will affect the development and trajectory of our District for the next 20 years – so it’s really great to have been a part of its formulation.”
Josie Parkhouse, Devon County Council candidate for Exmouth Division added, “Although Labour have no elected representatives on the East Devon District Council, we felt that it was important to give a voice to the residents we’ve been hearing from who are not happy with previous decisions made by the EDDC and might not have time to fill out a long survey.”