Planning

Row of bungalows in Inwardleigh for retired people
Bungalows in Inwardleigh

How to Find Planning Information: A Simple Guide

Understanding local planning can feel overwhelming, but it becomes much easier when you know where to look and what you’re looking for. This guide explains how anyone can find planning applications, planning policies, and important national documents that shape decisions in West Devon and beyond.

1. Where to Find Planning Applications West Devon Borough Council

If you want to check what’s being built, changed or proposed near you, the best place to start is the West Devon Website. Click on the search for a planning application, once you have ticked the box for the disclaimer then:-

What you can find there

  • Current planning applications
  • Decisions on past applications
  • Site plans, drawings and supporting documents
  • Deadlines for comments
  • Constraints (trees, listed buildings)

How to use it

  1. Go to the West Devon Borough Council Planning Search.
  2. Enter:
    • An application number (if you have it),
    • A postcode
    • A street name
  3. Open any application to see details, documents and how to comment.

What to look for

  • Planning Statement – explains what the applicant wants and why.
  • Design & Access Statement – describes design choices.
  • Supporting surveys – ecology, flood risk, transport etc.
  • Officer report – the council’s assessment before a decision.
  • Conditions – rules attached to approvals.

2. Where to Find Planning Policies

Even local decisions must follow national policy. The most useful documents for visitors are:

National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF)

The main national policy guide for all planning decisions.
It covers:

  • Sustainable development
  • Housing delivery
  • Biodiversity and nature recovery
  • Heritage protection
  • Climate change
  • Green Belt
  • Transport and design

Other national or regional documents that help

  • Climate/energy strategy
  • Flood risk maps and guidance
  • Biodiversity Net Gain rules
  • Local transport plans
  • Conservation area appraisals

3. Check local constraints

The followings all have direct links to the relevant page on the subject matter.

Trees , Hedges

Listed buildings, conservation areas, SSSI

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