WIREDGOV

Our recent visit to Exmoor National Park was led by the Chief Planner Steve Quatermain. The visit  held on March 4 and 5, was attended by 17 delegates including Ann Skippers, the President of the Royal Town Planning Institute and David Hackforth, the President of the Planning Officers Society.

It explored the issue of planning within the context of the park but also the effect of planning constraints on areas just outside. It highlighted two particular important issues involved with rural planning policy:

• The planning system can deliver good outcomes even if approvals are a departure from written policy
• There is a need to understand the linkages between local plans and the Regional Spatial Strategy.

Commenting on the visit Steve Quartermain said “I was delighted to see some really positive outcomes of the planning process, and it is important for developers and planners to remember the planning system is about delivering appropriate development and this can sometimes mean departing from the script. The planning process allows for this and I urge local authorities to use the tools and approaches that are available to ensure that the aspirations of their communities are realised."

Dr Stuart Burgess, our Chairman, added “In the case of delivering good outcomes Cutcombe market in the centre of Exmoor had fallen into disrepair and over £1million was needed to modernise it. The park achieved this by giving the go ahead to a mixed development consisting of 25 homes and some business units as a departure from their policy, a move I applaud. In South Molton delegates were told about the growth targets for the town and nearby Barnstaple and how the different targets in the local plan and the Regional Spatial Strategy could best be reconciled through the planning process. Both are excellent examples of what can be achieved in regenerating rural areas working within the existing planning system”.

Dr Nigel Stone, Chief Executive of Exmoor National Park, said “We were very pleased to host the Rural Experience visit to Exmoor National Park.  I hope that, as well as providing an insight into the particular needs of rural areas such as Exmoor, we were also able to demonstrate the excellent work of our planning team in supporting the development of local businesses and helping meet the need for affordable housing.  National Parks are usually thought of as taking a restrictive approach on new development whereas, in fact, we take as imaginative and flexible approach as we can so that we can sustain successful local communities in these special landscapes".

As a result of the visit all the delegates have committed to an action plan which will be followed up by the CRC within a month. This will help to spread good practice widely within the planning community and to also identify a new generation of 'can do' rural champions able to use the planning system to meet the needs of rural communities.