by Alan Quick

THE residents of Copplestone are celebrating again after Mid Devon District Council’s Planning Committee voted to refuse the latest application for 60 dwellings on land east of Dulings, in the parish.

Despite being refused in January, the developer had submitted a duplicate application which received even more objections than before, including a petition from parents at Copplestone Primary School.

A representative of the Residents’ Action Group, Parish Council Chairman Stuart Penny, and District Councillor Derek Coren all spoke to the committee against the development, the County Councillor for Crediton Rural Nick Way, also speaking and expressing his objection to the plan.

A number of residents also attended the meeting and asked questions to the Planning Officers.

Many said that the land is not considered a sustainable site for housing and Copplestone has seen enough development in recent years, particularly with 40 houses being approved for the Old Abattoir (Shambles) site as per the Local Plan. 

A spokesman for the Action Group told the “Courier”: “Thank you to everyone in the village for their continued support, in writing second objections, signing petitions and attending meetings.

“Your efforts have made all the difference. We have come together to protect our village and ensure the right decision.

"We would also like to thank Derek Coren for his support and guidance throughout.”

The developer has appealed the decision on the previous application with a verdict yet to be reached.

Issues taken into consideration, when the first application was considered, included the location of the development (which falls outside the village boundary), the inadequacy of Copplestone’s infrastructure, the flooding issues it would exacerbate and the negative impact to highways and education.

Also taken into consideration were policy matters, such as the proposed development’s inability to fully comply with the National Planning Policy Framework and issues surrounding Mid Devon’s land supply.

Following the meeting in January, Stuart Penny, Chairman, Copplestone Parish Council, told the “Courier”: “Copplestone Parish Council is delighted with this result. It shows that communities, when working together, do have a voice and can make themselves heard.”

Following this decision, Mr Penny said: “Again we are very happy that the Planning Committee has looked at this application, considered the views of the local people and refused it.”