Hundreds join the East Devon Alliance to draw attention to problems caused by the national planning regulations.

Midweek Herald: Feniton siblings Harry and Charlie Simic who are aged four and five joined protesters for the march held in Feniton on Saturday morning opposing new national planning regulations. Photo by Simon Horn. Ref mhv 1519-13-13SH To order your copy of this photograph go to www.midweekherald.co.uk and click on MyPhotos24.Feniton siblings Harry and Charlie Simic who are aged four and five joined protesters for the march held in Feniton on Saturday morning opposing new national planning regulations. Photo by Simon Horn. Ref mhv 1519-13-13SH To order your copy of this photograph go to www.midweekherald.co.uk and click on MyPhotos24. (Image: Archant)

Protesters turned out in force to march in Feniton to draw attention to the problems caused by new national planning regulations.

The march, which was organised by the East Devon Alliance, was calling for a delay to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) until East Devon District Council’s local plan is adopted to safeguard the area’s countryside.

The NPPF will come into effect on Wednesday (March 27) and has been dubbed Black Wednesday.

Hundreds of people of all ages, from across East Devon, braved the cold armed with banners and placards and dressed in black and carrying black balloons to symbolise the loss of the countryside.

Protestors included members of action group Fight for Feniton’s Future who took part in the march from Louvigny Close to Camp Field, Ottery Road, the proposed site for up to 160 houses.

The village is currently faced with applications for large-scale developments, which residents say could increase the size of the village by 40 per cent.

Susie Bond of Fight for Feniton’s Future said: “Feniton is just one of a number of villages across England facing massive development.

“We are particularly vulnerable because EDDC failed to ensure it had enough housing land identified and because it has no local plan in place.”

The group has also called on the district council to postpone any discussion of development proposals for Feniton following the resignation of Councillor Graham Brown.

During the march Devon County Councillor Roger Giles and East Devon District Councillor Claire Wright addressed crowds.

Fight for Feniton’s Future campaigner Susie Bond also announced her intention to stand as an independent candidate in the forthcoming EDDC by-election to fill the Feniton and Buckerell seat following the resignation of Councillor Brown, who is the subject of a police investigation. The election is due to take on May 2.