Ide plan now legally adopted

It means a park and ride is now highly unlikely

A neighbourhood plan for the parish of Ide that sets up a clear vision for limited development, bringing forward sports and leisure facilities, but to protect the rural character of the village has been legally adopted.

The plan, which was backed by 88.37 per cent of residents who voted in the referendum, now requires Teignbridge District Council to pay heed to it when determining any planning applications in the area.

The turnout for the referendum at the end of July was 29.38 per cent with 129 of the electorate of 439 choosing to vote.  No ballot papers were rejected.

Teignbridge District Council’s executive committee on Tuesday morning unanimously voted to officially ‘make’ the neighbourhood plan.

Cllr John Goodey, Teignbridge District Councillor for Kenn Valley ward and executive spokesperson for community neighbourhoods, said:  “I am delighted that the hard work and perseverance of the Ide neighbourhood plan development team has been supported by a large majority of the residents of Ide.

“The Ide Neighbourhood Development Plan is a very well thought out plan that through its seven policies sets out a clear vision and plan for Ide, embracing limited development, bringing forward sports and leisure facilities, addressing the parking issues the village endures, while protecting the local green open spaces.

“It is a legal document sitting alongside the Teignbridge local plan when planning applications are considered. It is important that local communities have input to how their communities develop, the Ide neighbourhood plan is an excellent example of this.”

He added that Ide parish will be using their community infrastructure levy contributions from the development that takes place in the parish to help fund sport and leisure facilities that are lacking from the village at present.

But approval of the plan all but ends any hope of the Roundfield site beside the A30/A377 interchange being used to create a 566 parking space park-and-ride on the site to reduce the traffic levels along Alphington Road in Exeter, as had been initially hoped by Devon County Council, Exeter City Council and Teignbridge.

Policy IDE07 of the plan says that proposals for development in the Ide Gateway Enhancement Area, which includes the Roundfield site, will only be supported if they do not have an adverse impact on the rural character of the village entrance or its approaches along the Ide Village Road, was acceptable.

The Ide Neighbourhood Plan would not preclude any specific land use but establishes strict guidelines that any development, including infrastructure must meet.

The full Ide Neighbourhood Plan can be read here.