The Teignbridge Local Plan, which is bringing “at least” 12,400 houses to Teignbridge was the subject of a legal challenge in the High Court. The case was brought by Abbotskerswell Parish Council, supported by the Wolborough Residents Association.
The judge has today thrown out the challenge, and the highly flawed plan therefore stands. The reasons for the decision are not yet known, but are likely to be made public before the end of the year.
This decision means various things. It means we are left with a less than satisfactory plan, which will cause the destruction of much of the local environment. It means we have a plan, which defends the areas not designated for development from threat from potential developers. It means many local people who had placed their faith in the legal challenge process are out of pocket, as the cost to residents was about £40,000. It means some will be relieved tonight, but many will be crestfallen.
It means that some have learned the painful lesson that it’s very hard to “buck the system”, and “the system” wanted that plan in place.