Have your say: Northam Neighbourhood Plan Consultation

Following engagement with communities, a Neighbourhood Plan for Northam, Appledore and Westward Ho! has been prepared by Northam Town Council and has been published for further consultation by Torridge District Council. As part of the next stage of public consultation, Torridge District Council is now inviting residents, businesses and local organisations to have their say about the proposed Northam Neighbourhood Plan.

The Northam Neighbourhood Plan, developed by Northam Town Council, establishes a vision for the evolution and long-term sustainability of Northam, Westward Ho! and Appledore, and provides policies to guide development within the designated area over the period up to 2031. It covers a wide range of planning issues including housing, green spaces, design and heritage. It does not cover non-planning issues, or issues that are under the remit of Devon County Council, such as waste and mineral management.

Councillor Rosemary Lock, Lead Member for Planning & Development, said:

"Neighbourhood Plans provide opportunities for communities to influence how their area grows and develops. Once adopted, they work together with the North Devon and Torridge Local Plan 2011-2031 to provide for sustainable development in Torridge and North Devon. It is important that we hear the views from residents and stakeholders to help refine a document that reflects the aspirations of the communities in Northam, Appledore and Westward Ho!."

The consultation will run from Wednesday 13^th August until 16:45 on Friday 26^th September 2025. Residents are encouraged to review the Northam Neighbourhood Plan and submit their comments before the end of the consultation period. Information can be found online via https://www.torridge.gov.uk/northamnp or in person at Northam Library, Fore Street, Northam, EX39 1AW and Torridge District Council, Riverbank House, Bideford, EX39 2QG.

Once the consultation period ends, an independent examiner will consider all received comments. The Northam Neighbourhood Plan will then progress to the next stage where it will be independently examined, after which a local referendum will be held to decide whether to "make" or adopt the Northam Neighbourhood Plan.

Once made, a neighbourhood plan becomes part of the Development Plan for the relevant area. A Development Plan can be made up by different plan documents, such as Neighbourhood Plans and Local Plans. The North Devon and Torridge Local Plan 2011-2031 was created through extensive engagement with communities and stakeholders across the two districts of North Devon and Torridge. If the proposed Northam Neighbourhood Plan is made, the policies within it will be used by planning officers to make decisions on planning applications alongside existing policies in the Local Plan.

Aug 2025