Welcome to July's Community Engagement Newsletter
Share your feedback during our active consultations and view updates on our previous consultations
Thank you for subscribing to this newsletter, which is designed to keep you informed about active and previous consultations/surveys.
We are committed to putting your voice at the heart of our decision making. You’ll find details about our current consultations, how to take part, give your feedback and contribute your ideas on a range of projects on the East Devon Engagement Hub. You can also view updates from previous consultations, including the stage each one is currently at.
 Current live consultations
Previous consultation updates
Pavement licensing policy consultation
East Devon District Council is consulting on a draft Pavement Licensing Policy for businesses to place furniture on highways for food/drink service, following permanent transfer of licensing authority from Devon County Council to district councils via the Levelling Up & Regeneration Act 2023.
The policy, developed by Devon Licensing Officers Group for consistency across Devon and Cornwall, will ensure fair and consistent administration of licenses that were previously temporary under the Business & Planning Act 2020.
The proposal aims to streamline the process that began during the Covid pandemic, with temporary licenses expiring September 30th, 2024.
Consultation closes 29 September 2025 at 5pm.
New community name consultation
Help name East Devon's New Community planned near Westpoint, in the west of the district! We've shortlisted four potential names and want your views on which one best fits the new community to create a vision for its future.
Shortlisted names and reasoning behind each one.
🌿Newton Clyst – The Local Option A name that belongs here
Newton Clyst connects directly to this area's geography and history. "Newton" simply means "new town" in Old English – straightforward and honest about what this place is. "Clyst" ties it to the River Clyst that runs through East Devon, linking it naturally to Newton Poppleford and other established Clyst villages in the valley. It's a name that locals will recognise and understand immediately.
🏛️ Marlcombe – The Historic Option Bringing back what was here before
Marlcombe appeared on 17th-century Tithe Maps, describing part of this exact site before the name disappeared from use. Rather than inventing something new, this choice restores an original place name that actually belonged here. It's a practical way to acknowledge the area's history while giving the new town a name with genuine local roots.
🌱 Willowcrest – The Nature Option Reflecting the landscape
The site sits on rising ground with natural contours that will shape how the town develops. Willowcrest describes both the topography (the crest) and the type of landscape found here (willows grow well in this part of Devon). It's descriptive of what people will actually see and experience living here – the natural setting that makes this location distinctive.
🌟 Clysthope – The Future-Focused Option Building on local foundations
Clysthope keeps the River Clyst connection that grounds it in East Devon, while "hope" suggests this is a place being built for the future. It acknowledges that new communities need both local identity and forward momentum. The name is practical – easy to say, remember, and explain – while capturing the reality that this town represents opportunity for people starting new chapters in their lives.
The consultation closes on the 26 August at 5pm.
Local Government Reorganisation survey
The government has asked all councils across Devon to come together and explore how local government could be reorganised to better serve our communities.
These proposals will aim to make services more efficient, more joined-up, and easier to access, while keeping local voices at the heart of decision-making. East Devon residents are being encouraged to have their say on the future of local government as part of nationwide Local Government Reorganisation (LGR).
In December 2024, the government announced plans to simplify local government structures in England. Areas like Devon, which currently operate under a two-tier system (with both district and county councils), are now being asked to consider moving to a unitary authority model, where a single council is responsible for all local services.
In response, East Devon District Council has been collaborating with other councils across the county to explore potential options. A joint outline proposal was submitted to the government in March 2025 by Devon’s district councils.
Known as the 1-4-5 Plan, the proposal outlines the following structure:
- Plymouth would remain a standalone unitary authority.
- South Hams, Teignbridge, West Devon, and Torbay would form one new unitary council.
- East Devon, Mid Devon, North Devon, Torridge, and Exeter would form another.
In addition to this joint plan, some councils have submitted alternative proposals. The government will ultimately determine the final structure, based on several key criteria:
- Create councils with logical geographical areas.
- Improve efficiency and financial sustainability.
- Deliver high-quality and sustainable services.
- Reflect local identity and informed by local views.
- Support devolution arrangements.
- Enable better engagement and empowerment for local communities.
Before a final recommendation is made in November 2025, residents, businesses, and community members across East Devon are invited to share their views.
Please share your views by completing this survey by Monday 11 August 2025.
South East Devon Wildlife Visitor Survey
Have you recently visited the Pebblebed Heaths National Nature Reserve, Exe Estuary, Dawlish Warren, Dawlish Countryside Park, or Ridgetop Park? South East Devon Wildlife, which helps to protect these spaces, wants to hear about your experience!
Whether you’re a regular dog walker, cyclist, or first-time visitor, your input will help us protect and enhance these cherished landscapes for future generations.
Complete the survey and share how you use and enjoy these spaces. Your feedback will inform decisions to improve access, protect wildlife, and elevate visitor experiences.
The survey is a year round project.
Previous consultation updates
Public consultation for play area upgrades
Update on New Play Area and Outdoor Equipment Installations Across East Devon
We’re pleased to confirm that installation works have been completed on four of the five scheduled sites included in the first set of this year’s improvement programme and are now open with the fifth site coming soon. Work is planned to start on the second set of five sites after the school holidays. Our preferred supplier, Proludic, will carry out the works, and the programme has been carefully planned to minimise disruption during the summer holidays.
The current completion status is as follows:
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Land of Canaan, Ottery St Mary Work completed - Park open to the public
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Baker Close, Sidmouth – Coming soon
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Carter Avenue, Exmouth Work completed - Park open to the public
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Brixington Playing Field, Exmouth Work completed - Park open to the public
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Willow Walk, Honiton Work completed - Park open to the public
The remaining five sites (see below) in the programme are planned to begin after the summer holidays. We will provide further updates on those works in due course, once detailed schedules are confirmed.
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Slewton Crescent, Whimple
You can stay updated with this project by visiting the community engagement webpage. Click the link below.
Public consultation for play area upgrades - East Devon
Thank you again for your valuable input in shaping these improvements to local community spaces.
East Devon National Landscape Management Plan 2025-2030 Public Consultation and Strategic Environment Assessment and Habitats Regulations Assessment consultation
East Devon National Landscape Management Plan Consultation
We have now completed our analysis of the 104 responses received as part of the consultation.
As part of this process, we carefully reviewed all the feedback submitted, including the free text comments. Where individual comments were provided, we have issued a direct reply to each consultee. We appreciate the time and thought that went into these responses and have taken care to address the points raised.
To ensure full transparency, we have published the complete set of responses alongside our replies. These can be viewed by clicking the link below. This allows you to see the range of views expressed and how we have responded to the issues raised.
If you would like to stay informed as this project progresses, please visit our community engagement webpage for the latest updates and next steps.
East Devon National Landscape Management Plan 2025-2030 Public Consultation and Strategic Environment Assessment and Habitats Regulations Assessment - East Devon
East Devon National Landscape Management Plan Strategic Environment Assessment and Habitats Regulations Assessment consultation
The second part of the consultation closed on the 13 of June. We are now collating all of the responses and will produce a consultation summary report with direct replies to each free text consultee comment. The summary report will address each comment that was left by consultees and will be released once approved. The report will be posted on the same webpage shown above.
Exmouth Beach Management Plan Update
The public consultation summary initial findings report has now been completed and is available to view on our website via the link below. The report sets out the consultation results, outlining how each of the three proposed options was received by respondents.
The project team is now reviewing all feedback to help develop the final version of the plan. This summary marks the first stage of reporting back.
A second more detailed report will be published in summer/autumn. It will outline the recommendations, any amendments made following engagement, and the proposed next steps for the Exmouth Beach Management Plan.
Exmouth Beach Management Plan Update - East Devon
Overnight motorhome parking in EDDC car parks – Exmouth
The consultation summary report is now available to view on our website via the link below. The report outlines the results of the consultation, including an overview of the responses received, the overall sentiment of comments, and how people felt about the proposed ideas.
Overnight motorhome parking in EDDC car parks – Exmouth - East Devon
Please forward this email to anyone you think would find it useful and encourage them to sign up.
You can also share this update on social media and in any online groups you're part of by using the view it as a web page link at the top of the page.
Find out more about the past and present engagements
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