Archive for April, 2006
Here we are, kicking up our heels, in a bit of sulk admittedly, thinking no-one cares for the environment but us. Then along comes a reply from one of the South Devon councils (not any of the builders mind) addressing some of our concerns about house building, sustainability and such like. Kudos Teignbridge council
The Principal Planner (Policy and Strategy) - if only I had parenthesis in my job title - writes:
The issues you raise about the means to reduce the environmental impact of housing are amongst many matters that relate to sustainable development and sustainable communities. The Council is addressing these matters for example through the strategy, objectives, policies and proposals in the emerging Teignbridge Local Development Framework.
There are needs to be met in providing homes, jobs, and accessible public services for the long term future as well as protecting and enhancing the environment. The matters are complex, and challenging. Because of this the main consultation reports and plans which are part of the Local Development Framework don’t always make for an easy read. But the issues are important for the quality of life for people now living or working in Teignbridge and for generations to come. The Council is facing those issues and working with communities and stakeholders to find ways to address the issues.
The Local Development Framework
The LDF is the new style of plan -making. The law requires the Council to undertake a somewhat complicated process of stages of plan-making and consultation with the LDF split into a number of plans which follow different timetables of plan making. This new plan-making process is a golden opportunity for communities, groups and individuals to get involved with planning for the future of Teignbridge. The emerging plans will be covering the period to 2016.
What’s happened to date?
Teignbridge has already consulted the public on broad issues and potential development sites at the first LDF consultation stage (in 4 documents at their Issues and Alternative Options stage) which we undertook last summer. We had responses back from about 5,000 respondents, with over 100,000 comments ranging from broad policy and strategy to more detailed site matters.
What’s happening now?
Since then the District Council has produced two “Preferred Options” reports on
1) Core Strategy (with the broad strategy, vision and objectives and core policies)
2) Development Control and Non-Strategic policies
These reports are now out for public consultation until 9.00am 22nd May 2006 (this is the Preferred Options Consultation stage).
Why should we get involved?
The LDF documents will provide the starting point for assessing future planning applications for development. They will also provide the local policy context for future plans for regeneration, the development of local community strategies, and for public investment in communities. Core strategy will set the context for other plans produced through the LDF. Getting involved by reading the leaflets, consultation documents, or by commenting on documents or working with others in community groups to develop your responses to later stage of plan making will help to inform and shape the plans. Please note that the main Development Plan Documents will be subjected to a Public Inquiry, and the recommendations of the Inspectors who hold those Inquiries will be binding on the Council (the Council will have to adopt the plan in the way the Inspector recommends).
What can we do now?
You and your readers might find it helpful to have a look at the Preferred Options Reports. These documents contain policies towards the environment, the economy, communities, housing and transport, as well as the strategy towards the distribution of growth and the approach to settlements and centres. They include policies towards the issues you raise in your e-mail.
Viewing the documents
The web-link below provides electronic access to the documents. In addition there are back ground reports including the sustainability appraisals of these 2 documents.
The documents are also available for viewing at our Offices at Forde House, Newton Abbot, and in local libraries in Teignbridge, and at Torbay Central Library and at Exeter Central and Exeter St Thomas library.
Is there a short summary of these reports?
There are 2 short, free leaflets which are available at these locations or can be sent on request. These give a flavour of the content of the reports.
The leaflets can also be accessed from the first two weblinks - but please note they are large pdf files (2.9Mb and 2.0Mb ).
Please note
The LDF policies are designed to work with each other - rather than be ‘free-standing’ . So the approaches to reducing the environmental impact of housing are to be found in the more general policies regarding sustainable development principles -CS13, and quality design - CS15, and renewable energy and energy efficiency - DC 1. Several other policies are also designed to reduce the impact of housing development - for example policies on making best use of land, on amenity, and on pollution. in particular, greater self-sufficiency of settlements with a better balance of jobs to housing, and concentration in urban areas should reduce the need to travel to access jobs and services and so reduce the use of non-renewable energy and reduce CO2 emissions and other pollutants, to the benefit of the global and local environment.
The Sustainability Appraisals of the 2 reports highlighted the need for additional focus on sustainable construction methods. The Council will be considering how to incorporate this within the forthcoming Submission Development Plan Documents.
More detailed guidance on the implementation of policies on design and on renewable energy and energy efficiency is likely to be developed in future Supplementary Planning Documents.
Future plan-making stages
Please note, the Council will be consulting the public again in October 2006 on the 3rd stage consultation for Core Strategy and for the Development Control and Non-Strategic policies (as “Submission Development Plan Documents“).
This will then be followed by the second stage “Preferred Options” consultation on two plans dealing with sites (the Newton Abbot Sub-Regional Centre Area Action Plan; and the Site Specific Allocations and Policies Development Plan Document - which relates to the remainder of Teignbridge (outside the National Park).
The information set out above is lengthy, but is necessary to ensure that you and your readers are aware of the processes that are now underway, and the rights that individuals and groups have to be involved in plannning for the future of Teignbridge.
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April 21st, 2006
In response to yesterday’s entry about the proposals to put measures on those who own second houses, the Commission for Rural Communities has come back with its rational behind making those suggestions and what is to happen next.
“In the Commission for Rural Communities evidence to the Affordable Rural Housing Commission we noted that there are significant pressures exerted on rural housing markets, in particular on our most picturesque villages and hamlets, from those seeking to retire or buy a second or holiday home there.
“High demand from more affluent households has helped to create an
inaccessible and unaffordable housing market, for households on low to average and even high local incomes.We called for action in four main areas; better rural proofing of housing policies at all levels; a real increase in and targeting of resources to meet rural needs for affordable housing; planning policies which enable villages to grow and adapt to meet their changing economic and social circumstances; and empowerment of local communities to have a stake in their future and to help shape their own solutions.
“We welcomed the Government move to allow local authorities to reduce the council tax discount on second homes, and to keep the additional revenue raised. The policy has not been without its successes, however, overall it is largely failing to address, in any significant way, the impacts on rural communities of high numbers of second homes. The Commission recommended in March to local authorities that they should use all the additional resources raised to mitigate the impacts of high levels of second home ownership on local rural communities and to identify the effects in local strategies.
“The Commission has not put forward a plan for a new, ‘absenteeism’ tax to Government, which includes, the doubling or trebling council tax rates for all owners’ of second homes, nor creating a national register of second homes and introducing a new business rate tax for second homes.
“We have instead, suggested that the Lyons review, currently inquiring into the funding basis for local government, considers the case for removing Council Tax on second homes from the domestic Council Tax base for each local authority. It would then become a completely separate source of local revenue, rather like the various fees and charges levied by local authorities (such as resources raised from parking charges and enforcement).
“We do not pretend to have all the answers on the technicalities of this proposal. Although we are not proposing raising taxes for second home owners there would be consequences for the balance of funding for local government between local taxation and from income from central government. This is why it is important that this proposal is looked at in the wider context of the review being conducted by Sir Michael Lyons.”
So there you have it. Let’s hope it goes some way to make affordable homes (and council tax) a norm not an exception.
Many thanks to the Commission for Rural Communites for the speedy reply.
Cptn
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April 19th, 2006
At the wonderfully involving film event that was the 10xTen festival at the Exeter Picturehouse (the judges winner of which we expect to have been screened at the Picturehouse’s Future Shorts showing that was tonight), a call was made for people to get involved in an Exeter-based feature film, which will be in production throughout the summer of 2007 (that’s next summer if you’re already fretting about the dry-stone walling holiday in Pembrokshire you’ve been banking on for this year).
All types of people are called for, camera people, production people, make-up people and yes acting people.
With the only reward being experience, responsibility and a screen credit, who wouldn’t be interested?
Contact theforewarning@hotmail.co.uk, with a photo if you’re an acting person, for more details.
Posted by Cptn
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April 19th, 2006
It seems ridiculous that an average wage wouldn’t buy an average house, but hey, I got drummed out of Econ 101 for asking a question about the Command Economy.
The Times claims there are plans afoot to increase the council tax - or worse - on the legion of second home owners in South Devon - the absentee landlords.
It’s not the Brummie diaspora, who move lock, stock and West Midlands to the South West, that’s being attacked (notice the Times called them ‘draconian measures’), it’s the second homers, those who stay just a few of the choice months and are pricing locals out of the market.
Not being able to afford a place to live within your community is, I suppose the Chelsea on Sea lot would say, the price to pay for living in a community based in such an idyllic environment. But second homers don’t bring jobs and prosperity, like those who move their businesses down here, and don’t bring the vigour and commitment of those who move their lives.
The plan put forward by the Commission for Rural Communities is being examined by the Affordable Rural Housing Commission (who’d have know such things existed). We will, of couse, ask for comments from these two organisations. But what does this mean as the region is plunged headlong into local plans and housebuilding quotas (remember the 50 per cent of carbon emissions are due to building figure?). Wouldn’t it be nice if those developers got back to us.
Posted by Cptn
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April 18th, 2006
If you’re lucky enough to live in Exeter or Plymouth you’ve got council elections coming up - May the fourth be with you. This is because one-third of the councillors are elected in each of the three years when county council elections are not held, roughly speaking. I’m glad that’s cleared up.
Neither has a BNP candidate standing. And with the shock revelation that 25 per cent of voters would consider X-ing the box of the BNP, I suppose it should be considered refreshing. We should applaud that such a party hasn’t attempted a toe-hold here. But maybe it’s the often narrow-minded and bigoted mindset that has protected south Devon from these dangerous right-wing radicals - what is the need of them here?
Nevertheless, we went to the polls in our droves supporting UKIP - whose main policy seems to be ‘just say no’ (that was fine for Zammo and his gang, but would it work in the council chamber, let alone the European Parliament) - when our perception of Johnny Foreigner’s shadow loomed too large.
So, if you’re voting, your choice of who you’d prefer to put the knife into public services while they destroy the communities they pay lip service to will be pretty much the same old roll call.
Thank goodness for the People’s Republic of South Devon, ehh?
Posted by Cptn
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April 17th, 2006
The Back Beach at Teignmouth on Easter Sunday. There was a fire near here later in the day, apparently.
Posted by Cptn
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April 16th, 2006
It was the fox that brought fire to the naked, huddled masses in the time before television, at least according to the storyteller at the combined opening of the Centre for Contemporary Art and the Natural World (it’s difficult not to be drawn to pithy acronymns - CCANW anyone?) and the Forestry Commision’s new activity trails at Haldon Forest.
Twenty miles of safe off-road access for walkers, cyclists and horse riders, with play and sensory trails for all abilities, can’t be bad in opening up what, for many, is a daunting mass of outdoors. This is combined with contemporary art and a project space that has been environmentally reclaimed.
To celebrate the opening, artist Jennie Hale led Workshop Under the Sky for children and adults to draw pictures of the natural world (tadpoles were quite popular), storytelling by Chris Salisbury, a demonstration by woodworker Peter Whiteman (he shot arrows too), performance by Dartmoor musicians Nigel Shaw and Carolyn Hillyer (mystical and woody), and a demonstration/taster session by Peter Chin Kean Choy, founder of The Rainbow T’ai-Chi Chi Kung School (missed it, stuck in a sandy playground).
So much for the arty stuff. There was running with Dawlish Coasters, a Silverton Riders learn to ride demonstration, guided rides with Exeter Mountain Biking Club and the free use of mobility aids from the Exeter Mobility Unit and free bike checks (with minor repairs thrown in) from Sidwell Cycles.
What a way to democratise the forbidding forest (am I just a little bit too urban?) and promote healthy living for hearts and minds in a very real way. That fox certainly has lit a fire.
Posted by Cptn
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April 15th, 2006
You may not have realised but it’s almost time to celebrate Real Nappy Week again (it comes around so quickly these days, doesn’t it?).
To mark this prestigious occasion, the Women’s Environmental Network has organised literally hundreds of events to show PC-parents what real nappies are really like.
And the good news is that members of the People’s Republic will have a chance to join in the fun.
On April 25, the Real Nappy Roadshow crew will be trundling into town and constructing a mountain of nappy waste at the Place de Brest, in Plymouth’s glamorous city centre.
“A mountain of nappy waste?”, we hear you snort. Well, we’re not sure what it entails either but it sounds too good to miss, doesn’t it? Huh? Huh?
For more details about Real Nappy Week log on to www.wen.org.uk or call 020 7481 9004.
Hey, why not phone and ask how much energy is consumed when you pile a heap o’ nappies into yer spankin’ washer/dryer?
Posted by Thin White Duke
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April 14th, 2006
Kids, eh? Who’d ‘ave ‘em? Well, lots of people, it would seem.
The thing is, the whole “we refuse to smack Molly/Stanley/Adolf because it demeans us both, simper simper” ethos can lead to problems.
So this month a new service is being launched for parents and/or carers trying to cope with terrible teens in the People’s Republic.
Headed by Dr Peter Jackson, top psychologist and, hey, director of King Kong (not really), the Telephone Support Service (TSS) promises constructive advice for those in need.
The types of problems TSS can help solve range from common but challenging behavioural issues associated with teenage years (hanging around outside Spar with their dodgy pals) through to more serious issues (bunking off school to get boozed up and carving Dashboard Confessional lyrics into their arms).
Just one call puts users immediately in touch with Dr Jackson or one of his team, who will proffer some appropriately sage advice.
To contact TSS, parents and/or carers should call 0906 1295132 or visit www.peter-jackson.me.uk.
Please note: Dr Peter Jackson refuses to answer any questions about Orlando Bloom (swoon, he’s such a super-buff hottie, etc).
Posted by Thin White Duke
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April 13th, 2006
With the nine (count them) nine days of art looming like the great cultural indian summer that it is (it’s in September) the Devon Artists Network is calling for new members.
Resource, support centre, yada-yada-yada it’s open to all visual artists and craftspeople living and working in Devon, and if you’re interested in such things, you should join, really you should - there is even a section for people who are just interested and don’t ‘do’.
What more do you need? Tell them the People’s Republic of South Devon sent you.
Posted by Cptn
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April 12th, 2006
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