Devon communities launch local planning and conservation initiatives

Several community-led initiatives are underway in Devon, England, focusing on local governance and environmental conservation.

In Exminster, a six-week public consultation has opened for the Exminster Neighbourhood Development Plan. This ten-year plan aims to guide community development and will be used alongside the Teignbridge Local Plan for future planning applications. Residents and businesses are encouraged to submit feedback before November 11.

In Woodbury, the East Devon District Council has formally adopted the Woodbury Parish Neighbourhood Plan following a referendum that saw a 90.9 per cent approval rate. The plan will now serve as a statutory document to guide housing, employment, infrastructure, and environmental decisions in the parish.

Additionally, the East Devon Community Hedgerows Project has launched in East Devon. Funded by The National Lottery Community Fund, this two-year scheme provides hands-on training in traditional hedge-laying techniques to help local groups restore and maintain hedgerows to support wildlife and biodiversity.