The Government’s relaxed planning rules are causing mayhem in East Devon, with a large number of speculative major planning applications targeted in locations that developers wouldn’t have stood a chance of getting consent in previously.

In some places there is huge pressure on services such as schools, roads and doctors’ surgeries as a result.

The national planning policy framework (NPPF) also states that highways officers can now only object to planning applications if the impact on traffic is “severe”.

Many people are worried that EDDC’s local plan will not be deemed acceptable by the planning inspector in February, leading to even more large-scale speculative applications.

Next Thursday (December 12) your Devon county councillors will have the opportunity to vote on a motion (proposed by Lib Dem councillor Julian Brazil and seconded by me) to voice their concerns about the NPPF, to the Government.

Unfortunately, the Conservatives, which have a large majority at DCC, are expected to vote en bloc against this motion and downplay the major problems we are facing.

If you are worried about the loose planning rules you may like to get in touch with your county councillor and urge them to support the motion.

Councillor Claire Wright

Independent Devon county and East Devon district councillor

Ottery St Mary Rural Ward