The Sid Valley Neighbourhood Plan at a glance - An easy explanation of Neighbourhood Planning

What is it all about?

In 2011 the government decided that local people living in a specific area should have the chance to decide on certain issues within their communities.

Housing

It is a way for local people to decide where they want any houses built and what type they should be.

What else does it do?

Environment. It protects the Sid Valley and its natural environment from being built on

How does it help young people find jobs?

The Economic Resilience policies suggest how to create employment opportunities using grants, and innovative start ups, etc.

What about young people and housing?

"On schemes of 10 or more units (apart from exception sites as allowed by Policy 10 B) a minimum of 50% of homes must be affordable which will include: a) 70% social or affordable rented accommodation, all of which is to be tenure blind and "pepper potted" throughout the development b) 30% intermediate or other affordable housing, for example shared ownership or shared equity, all of which is to be tenure blind and "pepper potted" throughout the development....". This is an abbreviated form of Policy 11

What about second homes?

Policy 14 states: "Any new open market housing, excluding replacement dwellings, will only be supported when it is restricted to being used as a Principal Residence and not as a 'second home', in that the occupier uses it as their main residence, regardless of who owns the Freehold.

Are our Community Facilities safe?

The community places great importance on retaining its valued community facilities, whether its the local pub, the village shop or a community hall in the town

The plan supports and encourages the recent moves by EDDC in working towards becoming carbon neutral. Alternative Energy and green employment initiatives will be encouraged. The provision of medium scale renewable energy projects within the SVNP area or associated schemes for renewable energy facilities will be supported

The referendum takes place on Thursday, September 19, and all Sid Valley Residents are encouraged to vote to ensure the suitability of future developments in the area.

There are paper copies of the plan for people to view, if they don't have access to a computer, at Sidmouth Town Council's offices, Sidmouth Library, The Tourist Information Centre and EDDC's headquarters in Honiton.

If you would like to read the Sid Valley Neighbourhood Plan, please click the link below.