A second regulation 19 Local Plan consultation is being held and we are inviting residents, community groups, and stakeholders to take part in the final stage of consultation on the new East Devon Local Plan – the blueprint for where new homes, jobs and supporting infrastructure will go across the district over the coming years. 

Following approval by the council’s Strategic Planning Committee on 25 November 2025, the further Regulation 19 consultation is now open and will run from 28 November 2025 to 26 January 2026.

This final stage gives people a last opportunity to comment on new evidence and updates before the plan is submitted to a government-appointed Planning Inspector for examination. 

What’s new   

The consultation includes: 

• The emerging masterplan for the new town of Marlcombe, setting out how the development will evolve. 

• Key new evidence documents including the Water Cycle Study and the Infrastructure Delivery Plan. 

• A number of minor changes to the Local Plan. 

This follows the earlier Regulation 19 consultation (which ran February-March 2025), where feedback from residents and stakeholders helped shape the current version of the plan. 

About the Local Plan 

The Local Plan guides where new homes, jobs and infrastructure will go in East Devon – while protecting the district’s outstanding coast, countryside, and heritage. 

Although housing numbers are set nationally, the council can decide where these new homes should be built. The proposed new town of Marlcombe, located between the A30 and A3052 and recently named following a public vote, has been identified to help meet housing needs in a sustainable way. 

The emerging Marlcombe masterplan sets out a vision for: 

• Provision for around 8,000 homes (up to 10,000), with a 40% affordable housing ambition, of which approximately 3,300 are allocated in this plan period. 

• Walkable neighbourhoods with green spaces and strong links to the Clyst Valley Regional Park. 

• Early delivery of schools, healthcare, shops, and community hubs through a dedicated delivery vehicle. 

• Sustainable travel choices – including walking, cycling, and public transport. 

• Close access to employment areas including sites in the Exeter and East Devon Enterprise Zone, such as Skypark and Exeter Science Park. 

New evidence to review 

• The Infrastructure Delivery Plan (IDP) ensures development is co-ordinated and supported by the right infrastructure, in the right place, at the right time. 

• The Water Cycle Study helps to identify impacts on drinking water supply, wastewater treatment capacity and environmental protection, enabling us to ensure capacity is in place before new developments come forward. While East Devon District Council is not the responsible authority, it continues to work with South West Water, and the Environment Agency, to find sustainable solutions. 

To make a representation to the consultation visit the link https://eastdevonlocalplansecondreg19.commonplace.is 

An information page can be viewed via the link below. The page contains links to the Second Regulation 19 version of the plan, Commonplace consultation website, the evidence library and key diagrams – see: Second Regulation 19 Local Plan Consultation (Nov 2025 to Jan 2026)