Core Strategy and Development Management Policies Development Plan Document (DPD)

This DPD will set out Exmoor National Park Authority's spatial vision and over-arching objectives, incorporating broad aims for development and use of land within Exmoor National Park, which take account of environmental, economic and social issues, as well as the wise use of resources. The Development Management Policies will provide criteria which will guide decisions on planning applications and appeals.

This plan, once adopted, will supersede all the policies of the Local Plan and will be the central plank of the Local Development Framework (LDF) for the next 15 years. 

The Core Strategy and Development Management Policies DPD will have regard to the objectives of the sustainable community strategies (produced by North Devon and West Somerset District Councils) which relate to the development and use of land within the National Park.  A key document in preparing the Core Strategy will be the Exmoor National Park Management Plan - a review of the Management Plan is currently taking place alongside the preparation of the draft Core Strategy and Development Management Policies DPD. 

The Policy and Community Team have undertaken research and fact-finding to produce a robust evidence base which will underpin the Core Strategy and Development Management Policies DPD. The evidence base includes views from stakeholders and local communities, that have been obtained through a series of engagement events and workshops:

YOUR FUTURE EXMOOR CONSULTATION

  • 21 ‘Your Future Exmoor’ (YFE) community events were held between January and March 2010, with nearly 1000 people attending. 
  • 13 school and college workshops held from July 2009 to February 2010.
  • A YFE event for stakeholder organisations in May 2010.
  • A further 4 detailed topic group meetings were held during November 2010 to discuss: recreation, tourism, climate change and housing. 

Next Steps

There will be further opportunities for local communities and other parties such as land owners and statutory bodies to participate in the new planning policies document as it develops through to the final adopted plan.

The Policy & Community Team are currently preparing the draft Core Strategy and Development Management Policies DPD which will be made available for consultation later this year, in parallel with the draft National Park Management Plan.

Milestone Date
Consultation on Strategic Issues & Options Summer 2011
Consultation on the Draft Core Strategy & Development Management Policies DPD Autumn 2011
Consultation on the Submission (final version) Core Strategy & Development Management Policies DPD Summer 2012
Examination in Public for the Core Strategy & Development Management Policies DPD 2012/13
Adoption Spring 2013

If you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact the Policy and Community Team:

Policy and Community Team
Exmoor National Park Authority
Exmoor House
Dulverton
Somerset  TA22 9HL

Tel: 01398 323 665
Fax: 01398 323 150
Email: ldf@exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk