41. Woodbury
Referendum
Following conclusion of the independent Examination of the neighbourhood plan, we have considered and accepted the Examiner's findings. We agree that the Plan (as modified) meets the necessary legal requirements and can go forward to referendum stage, as confirmed by this formal decision notice. The referendum will be held as soon as possible. The details will be published in due course on the Electoral Services part of our website.
Examination and examiner's report
The Woodbury Parish Neighbourhood Plan examination has concluded. The appointed independent examiner was Andrew Ashcroft. The conclusions of the examination are that, subject to a number of amendments, the Plan meets the necessary 'Basic Conditions' and can proceed to referendum. The Examiner's final report is now available to review.
In undertaking the examination, the Examiner considered a full set of Plan documentation, including all responses received to the Submission consultation (see under Submission heading below). In addition, consideration was given to the Parish Council response and District Council response to a series of clarification questions, posed by the Examiner. The Examiner also referred to an email from EDDC of 3rd February 2026.
Submission (Regulation 16)
Woodbury Parish Council prepared and submitted a neighbourhood plan for their parish in September 2025. The Submission was assessed as legally compliant, as confirmed in this Legal Compliance Statement. The District Council consulted on the submission for a period of 6 weeks, closing on 27th November 2025. The formal Notice of consultation confirms the details.
The Submitted documents are:
- Woodbury Parish Neighbourhood Plan (Submission Version)
- Consultation Statement
- Basic Conditions Statement
- Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and Habitat Regulations Assessment (HRA) Screening Opinion
Representations received to the Regulation 16 consultation:
Collier Planning on behalf of 3West Developments
Savills on behalf of 3West Group (1)
Savills on behalf of 3West Group (2)
East Devon District Council - Cabinet Report and Policy Schedule
LRM Planning on behalf of Richard House (1)
LRM Planning on behalf of Richard House (2)
NHS Devon Integrated Care Board (ICB)
Savills on behalf of FWS Carter and Sons
Representations received through the online consultation platform (Commonplace) - including those from residents and the Devon Countryside and Access Forum (DCAF)
The Submission documents and further information about the Woodbury Parish Neighbourhood Plan are also available on the Woodbury Parish Council website.
Hard copies of documents are available to view by prior arrangement at our offices at both Honiton and Exmouth.
Pre-Submission Consultation (Regulation 14)
Woodbury Parish Council consulted on the pre-submission version of their neighbourhood plan in June/July 2024. Further information about this stage is available on the parish council website.
Environmental Screening
Officers prepared a screening opinion to consider whether the draft neighbourhood plan should be subject to a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) or Habitat Regulations Assessment (HRA). We consulted on this with the relevant bodies (Environment Agency, Historic England and Natural England). The conclusion was that neither an SEA or HRA was required and the consultees were satisfied with this conclusion.
Neighbourhood Area Designation
On 12 June 2013 Cabinet agreed to designate Woodbury Parish as a neighbourhood area. This was proposed by Woodbury Parish Council.
An interactive map can be viewed by visiting the Neighbourhood Planning Interactive Map.