Regulation 18 Draft Local Plan 2025 Online Version and Consultation

Object

Representation ID: 865

Received: 29/01/2026

Respondent: Exeter City Council (Statutory / General Consultation Body)

We note the Draft Plan’s housing target of 400 homes per year creates a shortfall of roughly 550 homes versus the estimated need of about 950, and the plan provides no justification for how this unmet housing need will be accommodated; Exeter cannot accommodate any of Torbay’s unmet housing need.

In relation to Torbay’s unmet housing need arising from the Draft Plan’s proposed housing requirement, the City Council wishes to restate the position set out in the signed Statement of Common Ground between the City Council and Torbay Council, which forms part of the
evidence base for the Exeter Plan. The Exeter Plan is currently undergoing examination by the Planning Inspectorate and hearing sessions will commence on Tuesday 3 March 2026.

The City Council considers that Torbay and Exeter comprise separate functional housing market areas. This approach is agreed within the Statement of Common Ground and is consistent with Torbay’s Housing and Economic Needs Assessment (Chapter 3: The
housing baseline) which forms part of the evidence base for the Draft Torbay Local Plan.