Agenda item

Report of the Head of Planning Transportation and Environment (PTE/19/14) on the Teign Estuary Trail Strategy update and approval to progress a planning application for the route, attached.

(Councillors Dewhirst, Peart, Russell, Way and Whitton attended in accordance with Standing Order 25(2) and spoke to this item).

The Cabinet considered the Report of the Head of Planning Transportation and Environment (PTE/19/14) on the Teign Estuary Trail Strategy update and approval to progress a planning application for the route, the Report being circulated prior to the meeting in accordance with regulation 7(4) of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012.

The Cabinet Member for Highways Management reported that the Teign Estuary Trail remained a long-term aspiration for the Council and completing the route would fill the current gap on the multi-use trail between the Passage House Inn (Newton Abbot) and Dawlish. At Dawlish, the route would connect to the Exe Estuary Trail, providing a high standard route to Exmouth via Exeter.

The Report outlined that the design work to secure the route, land and planning continued to be progressed in partnership with multiple local stakeholders. However, several challenges had been identified, especially within Teignmouth, which had slowed progress of the scheme so far. Therefore, an update to the Teign Estuary Trail Strategy had been considered to enable progress for a planning application for the section between Passage House Inn and Teignmouth. Any extension to the existing Teign and Exe Estuary routes to connect Dawlish, Teignmouth and Newton Abbot would form a national showcase supporting local cycling and utility trips, providing economic and health benefits. 

The planning application required the appointment of a number of experts and a range of environmental surveys to be undertaken.  Teignbridge District Council had identified £200,000 from Community Infrastructure Levy that could contribute and approval for this had been given on 5 March 2019.

The route from the Passage House Inn to Bishopsteignton and Teignmouth would be approximately 5km in length. There would be a connection to Bishopsteignton which would assist local businesses, with additional trade. Beyond Bishopsteignton there were several constraints due to topography, proximity to the A381, railway and estuary etc, therefore a route on the northern side of the A381 had been identified.

Within Teignmouth, pedestrians would use existing footways.  A segregated cycle route was not currently possible as it was constrained by the urban environment.  It was proposed that the current Teign Estuary Trail Strategy did not include sections within the Teignmouth urban environment.

In relation to Teignmouth to Dawlish, a complete route between Teignmouth and Holcombe had been identified, beginning in Teignmouth town centre. 

The Cabinet Member for Highways Management reported that opportunities with Network Rail would be explored on the section between Teignmouth and Dawlish, and for the strategy to focus on links to, though not within, the more urban areas due to significant constraints.

Approximately £374,000 of Investing in Devon (IID) funding remained allocated to the scheme, some of which would be used to match the Teignbridge District Council contribution towards the planning application, estimated at £400,000. The remaining IID funding was reserved for design work, progressing land acquisition and a contribution towards construction.  The shortfall for route construction would need to be secured in order for the scheme to progress once planning approval had been obtained but would be confirmed as part of the scheme approval report to a future Cabinet meeting.

A full Environmental Impact Assessment could be required as part of the planning application, but archaeological surveys would also be needed.  There were clear social and safety benefits to providing a new walking and cycling route along the Teign Estuary, enabling local people to access green infrastructure.  However, it was recognised there might be some negative social impacts on individual land owners.

The Cabinet noted that an Impact Assessment would be carried out alongside the development of detailed scheme designs and options.

The matter having been debated and the options and/or alternatives and other relevant factors (e.g. financial, sustainability (including carbon impact), risk management, equality and legal considerations and Public Health impact) set out in the Head of Service’s Report and/or referred to above having been considered:

it was MOVED by Councillor Hughes, SECONDED by Councillor Hart, and

RESOLVED

(a) that the Teign Estuary Trail Strategy between Passage House Inn and Dawlish be agreed; and

(b) that approval be given to progress with land acquisition by agreement and a planning application for the Teign Estuary Trail section between Passage House Inn and Teignmouth.