Axminster Neighbourhood Plan

As an integral part of Axminster Town Council’s overall responsibilities, it is required to develop a robust plan containing its consideration of all aspects of land use and impacts of such across the whole Parish of Axminster. To this end it is embarking on a new phase of developing this Neighbourhood Plan with stage 1 very much being to understand the needs and views of all our residents and others that use the Town.

This web page will continue to contain information regarding the development of the Neighbourhood Plan and any relevant issues, results, comments and news.
To embark on this first stage we are asking as many people as possible to complete a survey of overall needs to help steer the council to make the most strategically suitable recommendation.

Thank you for your support and keep an eye on the Plan development.

The Axminster Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group

6pm until 9pm - Tuesday 10th January 2023 at the Axminster Guildhall

In September 2021 the Neighbourhood Plan Working Group consulted with you
to help inform the development of a draft Neighbourhood Plan for Axminster
(not to be confused with the East Devon Local Plan - which is currently under consultation).

The results from this consultation can be found further down this page.
Since then, work has continued on a first draft of the emerging Axminster Neighbourhood Plan.

As the Working Group are very keen to ensure this important strategic development plan
works for all of those who live, work or visit Axminster, there will be further consultation
events soon. This will allow you to help and guide the Working Group further refine this
important document.

In the meantime, you are invited to join the members of the Working Group at their
Neighbourhood Plan update event where you can learn about:

* What is a Neighbourhood Plan

* How the Neighbourhood Plan differs from the East Devon Local Plan (currently under consultation)

* The progress of the Neighbourhood Plan project

* What happens next.

* How you can contribute your thoughts and views.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Dear residents of Axminster,

You may have seen a recent communication regarding EDDC's consultation event on their emerging Local Plan,
to be held in the Guildhall on Thursday December 1st, from 3pm to 7pm.

The Local Plan is a document that sets out how EDDC considers that development including housing, business
construction and infrastructure (roads, facilities, etc) can best benefit the area.

The consultation will be in the format of an informal drop-in, allowing you to see and discuss EDDC’s plans for
the future to 2040, particularly as regards new residential developments.

In 2021, Axminster Town Council formed a steering group, along with local residents, to develop a Neighbourhood
Plan. Some of you will have responded to the initial consultation on this last year.

The hierarchy is that Local Plan sits above the Neighbourhood Plan.

Although the two plans are required to be fully aligned, for Axminster’s residents to have a direct say on future
developments, we need a Neighbourhood Plan. Directly from the Government's website, we see that:

A Neighbourhood plan is a way for communities to have a say in the future of the places where they live and work.
It gives you the power to produce a plan with real legal weight that directs development in your local area. It helps you:

• choose where you want new homes, shops and offices to be built
• have your say on what those new buildings should look like
• grant planning permission for the new buildings you want to see go ahead.

Although we will not be an integral part of the EDDC consultation, the Axminster Neighbourhood Plan Steering
Group will also be present in the Guildhall on December 1st to answer any specific questions you may have for us.

Our own Phase Two consultation will follow later in January so that you can respond specifically to us with
more knowledge of the broader picture that EDDC will be presenting at their consultation event.

We hope to see as many residents as possible on December 1st.

Thinking of our future.
Axminster Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group

Update: Following ratification by the FULL Town Council, the following Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group response
was submitted to East Devon District Council (January 2023). Download HERE

If you use a pushchair, buggy or pram, or you use a mobility scooter, wheelchair or any other mobility aid in and around Axminster, we would really like your feedback. Please complete this very short survey by the 1st of September 2022.

Newsflash: This consultation has now finished and comments/submissions will be collated and considered by the NHP panel.