Exmoor Local Plan 2011 - 2031
The Local Plan sets out the vision, aims and policies for development in Exmoor National Park.
Or as sections
- Cover contents and introduction
- Vision Objectives and Strategic Priorities
- General Policies
- Conserving and Enhancing Exmoor
- Responding to Climate Change and Managing Resources
- Achieving a Thriving Community
- Achieving a Sustainable Economy
- Achieving Enjoyment For All
- Achieving Accessibility For All
- Exmoor’s Settlements
- Monitoring and Implementation, annexes and glossary
- Policies Map West Exmoor
- Policies Map East Exmoor
- Policies Map - Unsuitable areas for small scale wind turbines and freestanding solar arrays
- Dulverton Inset Map
- Lynton & Lynmouth Inset Map
- Porlock Inset Map
You can also access the policies map online which provides the opportunity to zoom into individual properties and turn various features on or off. This map is intended to be helpful. It includes information which is not managed or controlled by the National Park Authority. Please check with the relevant organisation if you are relying on any of the information on this map. Link to the Online Policies Map
The Authority received the Inspector's Report on 15th June 2017. The report concluded that the Local Plan was 'sound' subject to a number of Main Modifications suggested by the Authority. It also set out the Inspector's findings on matters which were discussed during the examination hearing sessions held in July 2016.
Inspector's Report (including the schedule of main modifications).
Following receipt of the Inspector's Report the Authority formally adopted the Local Plan in July 2017.
- Adoption Statement
- Sustainability Appraisal
- Sustainability Appraisal - Non-Technical Summary
- Sustainability Appraisal Adoption Statement
Further details relating to the examination process are available on the Local Plan Examination Library page
All Local Planning Authorities are legally required to undertake a review of their Local Plans to assess whether they need updating. The Exmoor National Park Local Plan was adopted in July 2017 and the 5-year review therefore needs to be completed by July 2022. Exmoor National Park Authority has reviewed the Local Plan to establish whether evidence suggests that a partial or complete review of the Local Plan is needed or whether the plan and policies remain effective and no review is needed at the current time.
In accordance with Regulation 10A of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012, notice is hereby given that Exmoor National Park Authority has made a formal decision on the Exmoor National Park Local Plan 5-Year Review – the decision notice can be found here.
Review process
The review process has included a review of national policy, updating evidence including on local housing need, an assessment of monitoring and appeals performance and discussions with Duty to Co-operate partners
The review is summarised in the Exmoor National Park Local Plan 5-Year Review Summary Report and three accompanying Topic Papers, on the Environment, Housing and Community, and Economy.
Environment Topic Paper May 2022
Housing and Community Topic Paper May 2022
Evidence
Exmoor National Park Local Plan 5 Year Review National Policy Checklist
Exmoor National Park Within Somerset West & Taunton: Local Housing Needs Assessment 2021
Rural Enterprise Exmoor evidence and vision
Exmoor National Park Authority Monitoring Report 2019-21 Interim Summary
Appeal Decisions in Exmoor National Park July 2017 - March 2022
Exmoor National Park Planning and Enforcement Allowed Appeals 2017-2022
Statements of Common Ground Exmoor National Park Local Plan 5 Year Review May 2022
Somerset West and Taunton Council
Local Plan 5-Year Review Stakeholder Workshop
A Stakeholder Workshop, attended by nearly 40 participants, was held on 2nd December 2021 to discuss the interim conclusions of the review. Exmoor National Park Local Plan 5 Year Review Stakeholder Workshop Summary December 2021
An online survey also gathered views from 11th January until 28th February 2022. Exmoor National Park Local Plan 5 Year Review Survey Responses Schedule
Exmoor National Park Local PLan 5-Year Review Additional Comments Addendum
A summary of the key matters considered is available here: Exmoor National Park Local Plan 5 Year Review PAS Local Plan Review Assessment May 2022
Previous stages
Previous stages of the Exmoor National Park Local Plan 5-Year review included the preparation of three interim topic papers and a summary report. They were made available before the Stakeholder Workshop. The updated May 2022 report and topic papers are available above.
- Summary Interim Report
- Interim Housing and Community Topic Paper
- Interim Environment Topic Paper
- Interim Economy Topic Paper
Local Plan 5-Year Review Survey
An online survey was made available between 11th January to 29th February 2022. A PDF version was also made available The survey is now closed.