PLANNING permission in principle for a new home on a parcel of land south of Morchard Bishop has been denied again – this time at appeal.

Neil Vogwill of Black Dog had wanted to establish the principle of development on a 0.25-hectare field at Frost.

Mid Devon District Council said in May that an “overriding essential need” to have a house there had “not been justified” given that it is outside of a defined settlement in its local plan (a blueprint for development) and in the open countryside.

It added that the “proposed dwelling does not have reasonable access to services and facilities” and would therefore “result in an unsustainable form of development that would increase the need for journeys to be made by private car”.

Mr Vogwill appealed to the Planning Inspectorate to overturn the council’s decision, but ultimately lost.

Siding with the council, a planning inspector said the “site is unsuitable for residential development, having regard to its location, the proposed land use, and the amount of development”.

“The proposal would conflict with the council’s overarching strategies to direct housing to the most sustainable locations, whilst reducing the need to travel by car,” they said.

“There would be conflict with the development plan as a whole.

“However, it is undisputed that the council cannot demonstrate a five-year supply of deliverable housing sites.

“In these circumstances, the framework’s approach to determining proposals for development outside settlements, as set out at Policy S5 is an important consideration.

“This policy advises that residential development of limited infilling within groups of houses, or that which is physically well-related to an existing settlement, should be approved, unless the benefits of doing so would be substantially outweighed by any adverse effects.

“I have however found above that the proposal would not meet either of these tests.”

The new home would have been accessed from a gate opposite Rixey Lane. No details of what the house would have looked like or how big it would have been were given, since planning permission was only requested in principle. For in-principle applications, another application is required later after initial permission is given to decide the design and other particulars.

Morchard Bishop Parish Council objected to the plans, as did four members of the public.

Find out about planning applications that affect you by visiting the Public Notice Portal.

You can see the application on Mid Devon District Council’s website under reference 26/00300/PIP.