Council-wide Plans
Neighbourhood Plan
Neighbourhood planning gives local communities a greater say in shaping future development. The Ashburton Neighbourhood Plan reflects local priorities and, once adopted, will help guide planning decisions alongside the Dartmoor and Teignbridge Local Plans.
What is a Neighbourhood Plan?
Neighbourhood planning was introduced by the Localism Act 2011 to give communities a greater say in how their area develops. Through a Neighbourhood Plan, Town Councils can set out a shared vision and policies to guide future development, ensuring that local priorities are reflected in planning decisions.
The Ashburton Neighbourhood Plan provides an opportunity for residents to influence what development should and should not take place in the town. It helps shape issues such as housing, the local environment, community facilities and the character of Ashburton.
Neighbourhood Plans must align with national planning policy and with the strategic policies contained in the Dartmoor National Park and Teignbridge Local Plans. They are developed with community input and must be approved by local residents through a referendum.
The Ashburton Neighbourhood Plan steering group is currently in the final stages of pre-submission. Once the town council has received the plan it will go on public display for six weeks so that all the residents of Ashburton have the opportunity to see and feedback on the proposals.
Once adopted, the Ashburton Neighbourhood Plan becomes part of the statutory development plan for the area. This means that planning applications are considered against the policies in the Neighbourhood Plan alongside those in the Dartmoor and Teignbridge Local Plans, giving the community a stronger voice in shaping the future of Ashburton.