PLANS to shape the future of Ipplepen have been given the green light.

The village’s Neighbourhood Plan went before members of Teignbridge Council’s ruling executive committee who agreed it should be ‘made’, meaning it now has a significant role in decision-making.

Executive member for planning Cllr Gary Taylor told the committee the aim of the plan was to ‘reflect and amplify key views and priorities of the community’.

He said it would ‘aid the vitality of the village’ while preserving the local character and address local issues.

Preparation of the plan was led by a ‘dedicated’ steering group, Cllr Taylor said, including members of the community and parish council with help from Teignbridge Council officers and professional planning consultants.

The Plan had already received the approval of villagers with a referendum coming out at 78 per cent in favour of those who voted.

Having spent several years in the making, the plan passed examination by an independent panel before going to the referendum in May this year which saw a 44 per cent turnout.

Ipplepen Parish Council will now benefit to the tune of £130,000 more cash to be spent on community projects.

Introducing the plan means 25 per cent of Community Infrastructure Levy money, collected from housing development within Ipplepen Parish, will be passed to the parish council for them to spend on community priorities.

Until now, that has been 15 per cent and the difference has been kept by Teignbridge Council to put towards infrastructure improvements across the district.

Over the next 10 years, estimates indicate that CIL money generated in Ipplepen could amount to around £1.3million, meaning that at least £130,000 more could be passed to the parish council.

The plan originates from Ipplepen’s designation as a parish in 2015 when the parish council and the Ipplepen Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group began work on the Neighbourhood Plan.

The development of its contents came from extensive community and stakeholder engagement, formally and informally throughout the process.

It contains a range of policies to help guide the decision-making process up to 2033.

Now the Plan is ‘made’ it formally becomes part of the Development Plan for the parish, alongside the Teignbridge Local Plan and Devon County Minerals and Waste Plans, and will have a significant role in decision-making on planning applications within the parish.

► What do you think? Tell us your views on the plan - [email protected] - 01626 353555