The East Devon parish of West Hill is looking to ‘breakaway’ and stand on its own two feet. At present, a joint Neighbourhood Plan exists which covers both the town of Ottery St Mary and the village of West Hill.

Daniel Clark www.devonlive.com

But an application has been made to create a new neighbourhood area for the parish area of West Hill only. If approved, it would remove the village from the current joint neighbourhood area.

Documents with the application which has been made to East Devon District Council say that it has been agreed between the two councils that each parish has its own needs and priorities, but that there are areas of mutual interest where it would be advantageous to have some joint working and discussion, e.g. a potential green wedge between Ottery & West Hill.

A statement says: “A joint Ottery St Mary + West Hill Neighbourhood Plan is currently in place. But West Hill Parish Council considers it appropriate to designate a neighbourhood area, focussed on the West Hill Parish Boundary, for the following reasons.

“As it is now over four years since the NP was made, it is timely to consider a review, which can also be in conformity with the emerging Local Plan 2020-2040. A review of the Neighbourhood Plan by West Hill Parish Council has shown that the interests and priorities of the two councils (Ottery St Mary and West Hill) have diverged.

“There are some policies in the NP which are working well and others which could be strengthened and made more specific for West Hill, and some new policies are needed. For these reasons, West Hill Parish Council’s decision is that they wish to re-define the Neighbourhood Plan Area and work on a separate Neighbourhood Plan for West Hill.

“As established during the process of creating the new parish of West Hill, the two settlements have separate and distinct identities and demographics. The priorities for a revised NP are different for the two settlements. It is agreed between the two councils that there will be joint discussions over matters of mutual interest, e.g. the green wedge, and that there may be a need for mirror policies in the two new NPs.

“The proposal to proceed with an NP review was discussed with residents during the consultation event for the Local Plan Review organised by WHPC. Residents were supportive of the proposal to proceed with a separate new NP for West Hill.”

West Hill Parish Council has applied for the whole of the parish to be designated as a new Neighbourhood Area. East Devon District Council is now consulting on this proposal. The closing date for comments is 9am Monday 30th October 2023.

West Hill is currently included in the Ottery St Mary and West Hill joint Neighbourhood Area, which is covered by the ‘made’ Ottery St Mary and West Hill Neighbourhood Plan. If the application is approved, a new Neighbourhood Area would be designated to cover West Hill parish, and the existing Neighbourhood Area would be amended to remove West Hill parish from it. This amended Neighbourhood Area would cover the parished area of Ottery St Mary only. The existing joint Neighbourhood Plan will remain in force across both areas until such time as it is replaced in either or each parish by a new Neighbourhood Plan.