Based on the same reports from the same consultants, East Devon District Council has chosen “Economic Growth” but Mid Devon has chosen “Balancec Growth” . Here, in their Core Strategy, is why Mid Devon made its choice:
Economic growth strategy alternative:
5.7 Economic development would be the main priority for this strategy option, with social and environmental objectives set at a lower level of importance.
· High housing and employment growth, with sites chosen largely for economic viability.
· Limited affordable housing provision.
· Housing concentrated at Tiverton and Cullompton
· Employment to be promoted at locations such as motorway junctions.
· Employment provision in the rural areas strongly encouraged.
· Efforts to attract major tourist attractions.
· Retail development promoted in the three Area Centres.
· No limitations on car use.
5.8 This strategy is in many ways the converse of the environmental protection strategy and the Sustainability Appraisal found that its costs and benefits to sustainability are therefore largely a mirror image. It would involve the greatest use of Greenfield land for development for both housing and employment, with inevitable landscape impacts arising. Notably, the location of development, with its emphasis on car – based access, will lead to greater travel overall than the other strategies, with much worse impact on climate change.
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Balanced growth strategy alternative
5.9 The Balanced Growth strategy option would seek to minimise the conflict between social, environmental and economic objectives, and promote the balanced achievement of sustainable development. It was an evolution of the current strategy and policies set out in the Mid Devon Local Plan First Alteration.
· Development of new housing concentrated on the Area Centres, particularly Tiverton.
· Housing density generally higher than in the past but based on design – led solutions.
· Smaller dwellings provided, with maximum affordable housing provision.
· Rural housing generally limited to local need.
· Employment close to housing, encouraging town centre provision
and homeworking.
· Small scale employment and tourist provision encouraged throughout the rural areas.
· Promotion of a significant retail provision in Crediton.
· Some increased control over design, particularly in historic areas,
with targeted environmental enhancements continuing.
· Renewable energy schemes encouraged, together with low energy development.
· Car restraint, and provision of alternatives to the car, to concentrate on the Area Centres.
5.10 This strategy is the most sustainable of the strategies proposed, being positive in the majority of the factors, and negative in none. It would provide for both housing and economic development in locations which minimise traffic generation, allowing for small rural economic diversification. For these reasons, it formed the initial basis for the Core Strategy policies.
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