Hugo Swire has just – after seven years – commented on the local plan! And what he says shows that he is – yet again – behind the times in his own constituency. Here is what he says – with annotations:

‘Unlike some, I have never taken the rather irresponsible position of being anti-development.

This is absolutely true as Hugo has never, in fact, taken any position at all on the local plan during its long history.

The fact is that for decades there has been a chronic shortage of homes, not least due to a growing and aging population. It is absolutely vital that we build more affordable houses, especially for young people in East Devon trying to get on the housing ladder.

We totally agree – but, unfortunately for Hugo, East Devon District Council does NOT agree. Large, cash-rich developers have been allowed to strike out ALL affordable housing in their developments, citing their poverty!

‘However, we must ensure that a balance is struck. We live and work in a wonderful part of the world and it is absolutely crucial that East Devon retains its beautiful landscape and unique character.

Well, here is one thing we can agree on. But it comes a little too late in Hugo’s case. Whilst we – and many others – have been banging this drum for years and years Hugo has been noticeable by his silence.

‘A completed Local Plan is essential as it would be drawn up in consultation with local people so that they could determine where development should and should not go. However, many of my constituents feel that EDDC’s lack of a Local Plan is allowing developers free rein which is leading to overdevelopment in areas such as Woodbury Salterton.

Now, is it just a coincidence that his constituency office is in Woodbury Salterton? He makes no mention of of Newton Poppleford or Budleigh Salterton and all the other towns and villages in his constituency beset by inappriopriate planning applications due to our lack of a local plan. And his biggest blooper – saying that the local plan “should be drawn up in consultation with local people so that they could determine where development should and should not go” – which reveals his total ignorance of the fact that local people commented in their THOUSANDS before the last iteration of the draft Local Plan and made it TOTALLY clear where they thought development was appropriate and how much there should be. EDDC rode roughshod over these views. Local people – East Devon Alliance in particular – pointed out the weaknesses of the draft local plan – no up-to-date figures, no strong evidence for development sites, the stupidity of relying on a group of local landowners to decide where employment land should be sited – and all was ignored. All these points were picked up by the Planning Inspector who threw the plan out.

‘Today I call on EDDC to make the completion of its Local Plan an absolute priority and, in the meantime, ensure that the green light is not automatically given to developers. Inappropriate planning applications must always be rejected’.

Oh, Hugo, so little, so late! But we guess we should feel privileged that, this close to an election, you are slowly, very slowly coming round to the point of view that most of us have had all along!