CULLOMPTON is set for a key role in Mid Devon’s future with “long-term traffic and economic benefits”.

The district council has published its Local Plan up to 2033, which aims to provide the homes, jobs and facilities needed over the next 18 years while protecting “special areas of countryside”.

It is urging people to make their views known on the plan before it is scrutinised by an independent inspector.

The plan, which has evolved in full consultation with local communities, gives Cullompton a central role in the district’s future, which has been fully supported by the town council.

A district council statement said: “Both councils recognise the need for new investment in the town, bringing long-term traffic and economic benefits.

Tiverton, Crediton and the villages are not left out with the new homes, jobs and supporting infrastructure they need.

“The council has already carried out very wide consultation on this plan and considered all the comments received very carefully – indeed, this will be the third consultation on the plan.

“All the evidence, including the Sust-ainability Appraisal, has been publis-hed with the plan and anyone can make comments on these documents as well.”

A state-of-the-art leisure and tourism hub proposed for Junction 27 of the M5 has not been included after a cabinet vote because of likely impacts on nearby town centres and difficulties dealing with traffic issues which would arise.

At the same time as the Local Plan, the council has prepared the Commun-ity Infrastructure Levy to ensure that developers make a fair and reasonable contribution towards schools, roads, leisure facilities and other local infrastructure needed in the area.

Parish and town councils will receive a portion of this levy from developments in their area to spend on local priorities.

Consultation on the Local Plan runs from Monday until March 30.

The Local Plan Review, its Sustaina-bility Appraisal, CIL documents, State-ments of the Representations Procedure and associated information can be viewed at the district council offices and at public libraries (including the mobile library) in normal opening hours.

Local Plan Review documents can be viewed at www.middevon.gov.uklocalplan review and CIL documents at www.mid devon.gov.uk/cil You can find out more at these public exhibitions: Tiverton Town Hall, Tues-day, February 17, 4pm-7pm, and Satur-day, February 28, 9.30am to 12.30pm; Crediton MDDC area office, Saturday, February 21, 9.30am-12.30pm; Crediton MDDC area office, Tuesday, February 25, 4pm-7pm; Cullompton, Walronds, Tuesday, March 3, 4pm to 7pm, Thurs-day, March 5, 4pm to 7pm, and Saturday, March 14, 9.30am to 12.30pm.