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West Devon - Community plans and Local Development Framework

This was a partnership project between Okehampton and area Market and Coastal Towns Initiative (MCTi), West Deven Community Planning Forum, West Devon Borough and the Countryside Agency.


The aim of the demonstration project was to improve the linkages and relationships between the MCTi community strategic plan, the West Devon Community Strategy and the preparation of West Devon Borough Local Development Framework through partnership and joint-working.

Main outcomes and findings
The project has helped to set out the processes for effective community planning and its relationship with the LDF.   The work has been recognised in the Draft Local Development Scheme and West Devon Statement of Community Involvement.

The project has demonstrated that there is real value for all concerned in strengthening community involvement with the new planning system.   It suggests that community plans have made a valuable contribution to the development of the LDF, particularly through the Statement of Community Involvement but that issues such as ‘bridging’ between communities, local strategic partnerships and local authorities need to be better defined and properly facilitated.

The project also highlighted some wider points that are important factors in delivering effective community planning.  

These include:

  • Making sure the aims and purposes of any Community Plan are understood by everybody at the outset and that planning issues are presented in a way that planners can use.
  • Securing agreement about the level and extent of facilitation and support available from local authority partners throughout the process.
  • Getting agreements and systems in place for the receipt and dissemination of Community Plans.
  • Community Partnerships need to be properly resourced if they are to contribute to planning and other issues over the longer-term.