Teignbridge strategy under scrutiny: to build or not to build?

To build or not to build? Is that really the right question? Teignbridge Transition groups respond to the current Local Development Framework Core Strategy

By Transition Newton Abbot, on Thursday, February 16, 2012

Transition groups in Teignbridge ask if to build is the right question

Naturally we are all concerned about the latest development proposals for the Heart of Teignbridge. Rightly so, as these proposals will affect all of us directly or indirectly for a considerable time to come. One thing is certain, if there is no Local Development Framework (LDF), then it will be a free-for-all with unchecked, piecemeal development. We are sure no-one, neither planners, councillors, nor residents, relishes that prospect. Whatever you think, we urge you to make your voice heard during this consultation period.

In the spirit of co-operation and consultation, the Transition groups representing the Teignbridge area came together in January to discuss and thrash out a communal and, we hope, constructive response to the LDF. Groups involved were: Greener Teign, Bovey Climate Action, Teign Estuary Transition, Transition Newton Abbot as well as other concerned individuals. The meeting was very lively and indeed fruitful.

Back to the question in the title – is it really the right question? We felt a better question would be “why shall we build, what shall we build, and how shall we build?” The fact is people need homes, both current and future residents. More people are living alone or in smaller units and the trend is growing.

Affordable homes for young families, younger people and key workers are sorely needed too. We need to retain young people in our area, both with suitable homes as well as jobs. Teignbridge Council, of course, has a duty to respond to these demands. However, this should not mean a license to develop at any cost and certainly not at the unprecedented rate suggested in the LDF.

In our collective response to the LDF CS we have focused on three key areas for creating good sustainable development:

Local Employment
Carbon Footprint Reduction
Value of Agricultural Land

Of course, we do welcome many of the positive statements on these strategic policies contained within the LDF. Our main concern, however, is that without ‘teeth’ many of the statements will carry no weight when it comes to planning decisions. To meet commitments to reduce carbon, out-commuting, local employment and to make developments self-contained, any new development should be required to fulfil all the above key criteria before receiving planning permission.

Let’s take one example regarding local employment. How will the LDF, with its plan for an unprecedented high level of new homes, help create 910 new jobs annually? We look forward to seeing the council’s Economic Development Delivery Plan to shed light on what type of employment/jobs are to be promoted. Ideally this employment will need to build on established and successful businesses in the district in order to support the local economy.

Carbon Footprint reduction is an essential and bold target but the LDF contains no specific policy to define how this will be implemented, achieved or measured and in what time-scale. We need to see a Carbon Reduction Delivery Plan which sets out these commitments and targets.

Last but of course not least, we would like to see food production explicitly stated as a further qualifying criterion for development. We live in a district where towns are surrounded by rich agricultural land which has defined the area for centuries. Let’s, therefore, play to our historic strengths and traditions, as well as embracing new technologies needed for a sustainable future. Agricultural land should be seen as a productive asset and a major contributor to self-containment ie a foundation for local economic activities: the production of food, biomass crops and building materials for local markets. Such land-based productivity should also be seen as a driver for re-skilling and widening Teignbridge’s employment base.

The importance of land for food production and other land-based activities should be included as these economic activities have great potential for serving local needs and markets and therefore making a major contribution to the “self-sufficiency” in goods, services and transport: the essence of sustainability

Whatever your view or opinion, make sure you let the council know. Friday, March 2 2012 at 4.30pm is the deadline so you need to hurry. www.teignbridge.gov.uk/planteignbridge

For more information on our Transition response and TNA activities contact us via pos...@transitionnewtonabbot.org.uk or on the website www.transitionnewtonabbot.org.uk