THE Devon branch of the countryside charity CPRE (known as CPRE Devon) has welcomed the decision by Mid Devon District Council not to grant outline planning permission for the development of up to 65 homes and associated infrastructure in open countryside outside the current settlement boundaries of Crediton.

The decision relating to a greenfield site off Higher Road, in Sandford parish, was announced on Wednesday, August 7.

The application was to develop 3.6 hectares of agricultural land and paddocks to the north of Crediton and additional highways works to provide access.

The site is designated as open countryside and is just south of an Ancient Woodland (Long Plantation).

Mid Devon District Council had received a long list of objections to the application, including a comprehensive letter prepared by CPRE Devon’s planning consultant.

ACTION GROUP

Last year a group of residents living on or near Higher Road formed an action group to oppose the plan.

The planning application for the site, which runs along Higher Road, joining Alexandra Road junction at one end and finishing near George Hill at the other was an altered plan previously submitted by the applicant, Place Land LLP.

Local residents raised concerns about the potential amount of extra traffic, strain on infrastructure, schooling, environmental issues and doctors’ surgeries.

Originally the plan was to build 75 properties.

One of the plan options was to close a section of Higher Road and divert traffic on a new road through the site, if approved, also downgrading the section for pedestrian/cycle routes only.

The group was formed following a meeting of Sandford Parish Council on June 7, 2019, when a number of residents who felt similarly about the development decided to take action for themselves.

Mid Devon planners refused the application because the site was outside the current settlement limit boundaries, is in open countryside and is not currently allocated for development.

ELEVATED NATURE

Planners also said that the elevated nature of the site, the rural character of the area, development of an agricultural field to include highway or removing existing hedging and trees to widen sections of road would have a harmful impact to the visual amenity of the locality.

It was also noted that the field provides a visual relief in addition to a physical barrier between the built form of Crediton and Long Plantation, which is an Ancient Woodland.

It was believed that the plan would have a harmful effect on the non-designated heritage asset of Creedy Park.

It was considered that the residential development was not in a sustainable location for access by pedestrians given the very steep nature of highway routes from the application site to the Town Centre.

It was considered that there was insufficient information provided regarding air quality and understood that no Section 106 agreement had been completed.

OBJECTION

CPRE Devon’s Director Penny Mills said following the decision: “Our members in Mid Devon asked us to submit an objection to these outline plans and we were happy to do so.

“The proposal was for ‘up to 65’ new houses and associated infrastructure, which would have had a damaging impact on the rural nature of this area outside the market town of Crediton.

“Our planning consultant prepared a very comprehensive set of objections which we are pleased to see were taken into account.

“Too much of Devon’s countryside is being lost forever to housing and great care needs to be taken when deciding proposals like this one.

“We very much welcome Mid Devon District Council’s decision to refuse planning.”

HOUSING NEEDS MEETING

A presentation and discussion entitled “The Truth About Devon’s Housing Needs” will be held at the Boniface Centre in Crediton, from 7pm to 9pm on Wednesday, September 18.

Guest speakers will be Dr Phillip Bratby and Mrs Penny Mills.

Hosted by Crediton Town Council, the meeting is being co-ordinated by CPRE Devon.

Questions asked by the CPRE include: Are you concerned about the number of new homes being built in and around Crediton and Mid Devon?

Are you aware of the Greater Exeter Strategic Plan (GESP) and the proposals to build tens of thousands of new homes in and around Exeter?

The Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE Devon) commissioned an independent study revealing the truth about Devon’s real housing needs.

All are invited to attend the meeting to find out what the evidence shows.