Planning approval for hundreds of new homes in East Devon
Planning approval for hundreds of new homes in East Devon
KOR Communications delivered a two-stage consultation for Clinton Devon Estates' Plumb Park in Exmouth. Ip to 350 homes, a hilltop park, allotments and a community orchard on 15 hectares. Around 250 people attended the second public event and well over 200 comments were recorded. East Devon District Council granted outline consent in June 2013 and approved the first 264 homes in June 2017.
The project
The initial plans for Plumb Park in Exmouth were drawn up on behalf of the landowner Clinton Devon Estates, with up to 350 new homes, allotments, a community orchard and a hilltop park. The site had already been identified in the East Devon District Draft Local Plan.
KOR were appointed to deliver community and stakeholder engagement ahead of a planning application being submitted to East Devon District Council.
Our approach
Given the scale of the proposals, particularly in relation to the size of Exmouth and the client's vision for the town, a two-stage public consultation and engagement programme was drawn up. This was preceded by a series of meetings and discussions between the client Clinton Devon Estates and the town council and other community representatives.
A four-week consultation was held in December 2011 and January 2012, focused on the development of Plumb Park to help meet the town's future housing requirements and wider community needs. This entailed a series of meetings with the public and other stakeholders and was supported by a dedicated project website. We ensured there was extensive local media coverage to encourage participation, as well as posting newsletters to local homes and businesses.
The feedback from this consultation was used to help inform a second round of consultation which started in November 2012. A range of methods were used to encourage participation, including social media, print and online local media, posters and flyers, an updated resident newsletter and a two-minute video.
The outcome
The day of the 2012 public event was marked by extreme weather events in Devon. There was widespread flooding of roads and properties across the county, and the main road between Exeter and Exmouth was closed for two hours at rush hour, as were other important local routes. Despite the weather and all the associated warnings, such was the interest in the consultation that around 250 people braved the elements to attend.
The majority of those attending the event, regardless of their views about the proposals, were very positive about the approach to the consultation, with many thanking the client for putting on such an informative and professional event and wanting to be kept in touch with future developments. Well over 200 individual comments were recorded during the consultation period. A number of changes were made to the plans as a result of consultation, including a new cycle and footpath to enable people already living in the area to easily access the new hilltop park and other green spaces.
The outline application gained consent from East Devon District Council in June 2013. A reserved matters application for the first 264 homes was approved in June 2017. KOR again led on the community and stakeholder consultation for the reserved matters application on behalf of Taylor Wimpey, a Joint Venture Partner with the Estate.
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The client, Clinton Devon Estates, has major holdings in East Devon, including in and around the coastal town of Exmouth. The Estate's Vision for Exmouth was that it would be "a well connected, balanced community with homes for all ages, employment, and space for nature and for people to enjoy." Alongside its masterplanners at LHC, the Estate worked with local councils and communities to discuss the vision. It was important for the community to understand the proposals for Plumb Park from an early stage, first discussing the principles which helped shape a masterplan which was the subject of the later consultation.
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Now complete, Plumb Park is a popular location. It is easy to access, close to the town centre, seafront, train station and major bus routes as well as schools, community facilities, shops and employment space. The hilltop park has been crowned by a striking granite topography which shows key features in the surrounding landscape, and all the new homes have been sold.
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Legacy development entails a long-term approach by a landowner, often an historic estate. It means the landowner stays involved in the project from start to finish, so it can retain control of quality and design. Such long-term stewardship also means there is a focus on sustainability and meeting the needs of existing and future communities, rather than a quick profit. Perhaps the best-known example in England would be Poundbury in Dorset, championed by King Charles.