Existing Planning Policy

The current development plan for area is made up of the East Devon Local Plan (‘adopted’ in 2016) and Bishops Clyst Neighbourhood Plan (‘made’ in 2025). 

• The policies within the local plan are now out-of-date and the Council is unable to demonstrate that it has the required level of housing supply. As a result, there is a ‘presumption in favour’ of approving new housing schemes.

• The scheme, being close to the various facilities within Clyst St Mary, to various major employment areas and with good bus, cycle and pedestrian links, is in a sustainable location and is suitable for housing use under the ‘presumption in favour’.

• The Neighbourhood Plan does not include any policies which directly affect the scheme. 

• The land is not subject to any land use, landscape or similar designations which affect its development potential.

Emerging Planning Policy and New Settlement

East Devon District Council are preparing a new local plan which will replace the current version. This is now at an advanced stage and is policies are starting to give direction to future planning schemes.

• As part of the new local plan, a new settlement is proposed for the area within which the site is located.

• The proposed new settlement – which is to be known as Marlcombe – is to be a community of 8,000 new homes with the full range of social facilities, open space and employment areas to be provided.

• The Masterplan for Marlcombe proposes that the land is to be used for residential purposes, with a new footpath/cycle link to be provided to link the new settlement to the Sidmouth Road. The scheme mirrors these objectives.