South Hams promises 'better life for all'

New 20-year vision

Reducing the impact of climate change and increasing biodiversity were among the main priorities for the South Hams as councillors agreed a new 20-year vision. 

The ‘Better Lives for All’ document to be adopted by the council also aims to:

• Improve homes
• Protect, conserve and enhance the built and natural environment
• Stimulate a thriving economy
• Strengthen community wellbeing
• Deliver quality services
• The council hopes the projects and schemes in this vision document will make the South Hams a better place to live and work. 

South Hams has also committed to working with partners through the Devon Climate Emergency Response Group to reduce the district’s carbon emissions to net-zero by 2050 at the latest.

Following a decision in 2019 to declare a “climate change and biodiversity emergency,” the council has already consulted on letting about 13.5 hectares (33.3 acres) of green space return to a more natural state to allow more biodiversity and wildlife to flourish. 

The council has secured an additional £600,000 in Green Homes Grants and is planning to install electric vehicle charging points.

Among new measures proposed in the two-decade-long scheme are a cycle network and town centre improvement plans.

But the council also plans to lobby government to close a loophole which enables second home and holiday let owners to avoid paying council tax and business rates. It also supports a ‘freezone’ to encourage economic growth, in a similar way that Plymouth has been named as one of the UK’s eight new ‘freeports.’ The Plymouth freeport area includes Sherford Business Park, which is in the South Hams.

‘Better Lives for All’ has been produced after a long consultation with residents and businesses in the district.  

Cllr Judy Pearce (Cons, Salcombe and Thurlestone) leader of South Hams District Council said: “With our priorities adopted by our local councillors and supported by our residents and businesses, we can now confidently move forward to deliver actions that meet the diverse needs of our communities. 

“From addressing the need for housing that is truly affordable for local people, to taking action now to combat climate change, creating Better Lives for All will be at the heart of everything we do.

“I’d like to thank everyone who has got involved to help us shape this document. District, town and parish councillors gave their knowledge on the individual situation in their local areas. Local residents, businesses and visitors told us what matters to them. 

“Talented photographers have captured on film the landscapes and people that make the South Hams unique. Your input has ensured that this document focuses on addressing the real challenges and opportunities faced every day by all of us who call the South Hams home.”

The deputy leader of the council also backed the plan. “Local people have spoken and shown us what is important to them to give us a solid basis for our vision,” said Cllr Hilary Bastone (Cons, Dartmouth and East Dart).

“It’s really important to emphasise that we are listening. Your feedback is noted and will inform our ongoing decisions to respond to the evolving needs of our communities.

“It is heartening to know that 70 per cent of the businesses that responded felt optimistic about the future, despite the difficult last year and a half. But we’re also listening to business owners who tell us that the ability to hire the right people was amongst the largest areas of concern. 

“This is partly due to the lack of affordable housing – an area of key concern to our residents too. Poor transport and low paying jobs are also noted as major issues for local people.

“The next step is to put our plans into action to address the issues highlighted. The overall vision is supported by a detailed delivery plan, which will measure success and identify where more needs to be done.”

The consultation revealed some of the main concerns and hopes felt by people in the district.  Four out of five respondents were concerned about their carbon footprint and more than a third of people have already, or are currently thinking about, moving to an electric vehicle. 

Broadband was major focus of residents with 85 per cent of people feeling that poor broadband or digital connectivity impacts their ability to stay in touch or run a business.

Almost 90 per cent of respondents felt their local outdoor recreation spaces didn’t meet the needs of their community and more than three quarters felt there wasn’t a good level of community sports facilities across the district. 

One of most significant figures was about the affordability of buying a home in South Hams: 97 per cent of respondents were worried about the cost of houses in the district.  

Over 100 photographers also took part in a competition to depict the South Hams.

Voted for by councillors, the overall winner of the photography competition was Sophie Rennie. Judges felt that her image of ‘The Gate’ captured a sense of both the past, present and future for the South Hams.  Ms Rennie will receive a hamper of local goods.