Minutes are a summary, not a word-for-word record. Below are points from the recording that matter for EXMO20 or the Local Plan, set against what the official minutes say about them. Judge for yourself: each clip opens at the moment it was said.
Housing figure: officer says the plan is short of the new standard method and will be challenged at examination
Important Minutes much briefer · Ed Freeman (officer) · 00:27:01 ▶
Said in the meeting“…whilst plan making regulations allow for us to progress the plan under this reduced figure we are short compared to the new standard method figures and are being challenged on this through representations made against the plan and we will have to defend that position at examination therefore changing the housing numbers is not appropriate at this time”
The minutesofficers do not recommend changing the housing numbers explaining that while housing requirements can increase or decrease over time, the Council’s position is that the plan should not be revised each time this happens
The minutes record the decision not to update the figure and the reliance on transitional arrangements, but not the officer's statement that the reduced figure is short of the new method and is being challenged in representations.
No agreed Water Cycle Study position may exist by submission
Important Minutes differ · Ed Freeman (officer) · 00:44:57 ▶
Said in the meeting“…that is ongoing whether we can reach a position where everybody agrees on the position by the time the plan submission is not entirely clear but I don't think that's an essential requirement in terms of submission the plan”
The minutesAn up-to-date Water Cycle Study and agreement with relevant bodies, including the Environment Agency, are required.
The minutes record agreement as required; in the meeting the officer said agreement by submission was uncertain and not essential. Later (01:55:13) he said South West Water disagreed with much of the consultants' modelling.
Habitat Regulations Assessment still waiting for air quality and water evidence
Important Minutes much briefer · Ed Freeman (officer) · 00:45:18 ▶
Said in the meeting“…all of this obviously feeds into Habitat Regulations assessment work as I mentioned so once we have all of that work footprint ecology will be updating their Habitat Regulations assessment work and hopefully we'll be in a position where we can have an acceptable Habitat Regulations assessment to accompany the plan”
The minutesMembers received progress updates on outstanding evidence work, including the Marlcombe Viability Testing, Playing Pitch and Open Space Strategy, Air Quality Impacts at the Pebblebed Heaths, Habitat Regulations Assessment, Water Cycle Study
Records that, about three months before planned submission, the HRA for a plan allocating sites near the Pebblebed Heaths SAC/SPA still depended on unfinished air quality and water work.
Natural England query on employment uses within the 400m zone
Minutes much briefer · Ed Freeman (officer) · 00:20:03 ▶
Said in the meeting“…It is noted that in their consultation response to the first regulation 19 consultation the Natural England sought clarity about where employment uses would be located. However this is a level of detail that does not need to be determined at this stage.”
The minutesno further detail or clarification is considered necessary at this stage
The minutes record the conclusion but not that the officer referred to Natural England's request for clarity on uses within the 400m zone next to the SAC/SPA.
New plan-making system would raise the need for EXMO20 (minutes say 'potentially' and 'sites like')
Minutes differ · Ed Freeman (officer) · 00:32:12 ▶
Said in the meeting“I mean, I think it's important to note that if we were to adopt the new plan-making system, we'd also have to adopt the new standard method and the higher housing numbers. So you'd have to provide thousands of additional homes over what's in this plan, which would create an even greater need to allocate EXMO20.”
The minutesif the Council switched to the new system this would result in higher housing requirements and potentially an even greater need for sites like Exmo_20
The officer referred to EXMO20 directly and without qualification; the minutes add 'potentially' and widen it to 'sites like Exmo_20'.
Source of the electric vehicle data in the air quality modelling
Not in the minutes · Ed Freeman (officer) · 00:55:08 ▶
Said in the meeting“I'd have to check in terms of the source of the data on either usage um I'm assured that it comes from a reliable source and can be relied upon in terms of this work um it may even be government data um I have to check obviously it's a prediction…”
The minutesNot recorded in the minutes.
The refined Pebblebed Heaths air quality modelling relies on higher electric vehicle uptake; the officer could not confirm the data source in the meeting. This evidence feeds the HRA.
Committee member questions why EXMO20 is still pursued
Minutes much briefer · Cllr Brian Bailey · 01:07:54 ▶
Said in the meeting“and I fail to see, with the evidence before me, regarding the HELAA, the air quality and the water cycle, that why with such lack of consistent and positive reports on Exxon's 20 in particular, why are we pursuing it? Because it appears to me that we're up against a brick wall.”
The minutesSeveral Members acknowledged the concerns raised by Exmouth Ward Members regarding Exmo_20 while emphasising the Committee’s responsibility to consider the wider needs of East Devon as a whole.
The minutes refer to Exmouth members' concerns only in general terms. They do not record this committee member's points on the HELAA, air quality and water evidence, or on local infrastructure (GP access, sewage overflows).
Officer: transitional arrangements used to keep numbers down; some environmental impacts will remain
Minutes much briefer · Ed Freeman (officer) · 01:14:21 ▶
Said in the meeting“…keep the growth levels down to the minimum we can justify by going through these transition arrangements and produce the plan that tries to meet those growth requirements in the most sustainable way possible that's not to say that there won't still be some environmental impacts…”
The minutesExmo_20 has been proposed for allocation as part of the Council’s statutory responsibility to plan for housing growth. Officers advised that the Local Plan represents the most sustainable and appropriate approach
The minutes give the conclusion; the officer's reasoning (choice of transitional arrangements, accepted environmental impacts, evidence still being produced) is not recorded.
Councillor's climate emergency question on EXMO20 not answered
Minutes much briefer · Cllr Melanie Martin · 01:23:51 ▶
Said in the meeting“…I have a question. EDDC called a climate emergency in 2019 and is now proposing a development that is harmful to wildlife, trees and nature. How does the EXMO20 development align with the council's climate change action plan?”
The minutesCouncillor Melanie Martin confirmed her objection to the allocation of Exmo_20 within the Local Plan citing concerns about impacts on wildlife and habitats.
The minutes record her objection but not her question about EXMO20 and the council's climate policy. When invited to respond at about 01:32:03, the officer added nothing, so no answer was given in the meeting.