Dartmouth and Kingswear Society



Dartmouth from Clarence Hill

Planning Overview

Any planned development within our area is, of course, of key concern to the Society. Thus we monitor very closely both the overall planning frameworks and individual applications for building development.

We understand the need for development to maintain the vitality of the area, but are concerned to ensure that it is carried out in a sympathetic way which respects the special local historic and scenic features.

Local Area Planning

Much of the overall planning framework is set by the Joint Local Plan (JLP) a ground-breaking strategic planning process for Plymouth and South West Devon which looks ahead to 2034. It sets a shared direction of travel for the long-term future of the area, within the context of wider integrated strategic plans. In this respect it integrates with and completes work that was previously being undertaken separately on the ‘Plymouth Plan’ (Plymouth City Council and its strategic partners), ‘West Devon: Our Plan’ (West Devon Borough Council) and ‘South Hams: Our Plan’ (South Hams District Council). The key purpose of the JLP is to establish an over-arching strategic framework for sustainable growth and the management of change, providing the statutory development plan for Plymouth, South Hams and West Devon.

The JLP plans were approved in 2019 and replace the Local Plan documents, which were last fully approved in 1996.
Other organisations which have an impact on the overall planning framework for the area include the South Devon AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) Unit and the Dart Harbour and Navigation Authority. The Society keeps in contact with these and other bodies.

Specific Planning Applications

Details of Planning applications submitted to South Hams District Council may be accessed on-line via this link. The Committee of the Society monitors all applications in our area and comments or objects where appropriate. However we do recognise the current realities of the planning process, whereby the great majority of applications are approved by SHDC. It is worth noting that the wording of an application is the choice of the applicant, not SHDC Planning Department, and may or may not reflect accurately and fully the work being proposed.

The Society prepares monthly lists of planning applications and recent decisions covering all applications in our area of interest.
As a new feature, a monthly list of the Planning Authority’s progress reports is also provided for applications not yet decided.
The Society also monitors Planning Appeals in our area and makes submissions where appropriate.