AN APPEAL against failure by Mid Devon District Council to give a decision within the proper time on a planning application has meant that the application has been allowed.

Planning Inspector Matthew Jones, appointed by the Secretary of State, allowed the appeal made by Mr A Polhill for a temporary rural workers’ dwelling (mobile home) for management of a rurally based business at South West Game Birds, Keymelford Cross, Colebrooke.

He made a site visit on May 10.

This could only be lived in by people solely or mainly working, or last working, at the farm business, limited to three years after which time the land has to be restored to its former condition.

The Inspector said he felt the mobile home that had been placed on the site fulfilled the legal definition of a caravan, which Crediton Hamlets Parish Council had queried.

He said the appeal site was a new farm business based on poultry and game birds with a number of small functional buildings dotted within the site.

In March 2019 permission had been granted for change of use of mobile home from incidental to agriculture to a mixed use of incidental to agriculture and temporary residential for management of a rurally based business.

The mobile home which was then put there had been damaged in high winds, then came the pandemic, events which had delayed the business plan.

The full reasons can be read on the website: www.gov.uk/planning-inspectorate .   Appeal Decision APP/Y1138/W/21/3281110.