AN award-winning artist has withdrawn plans for three static caravans in a field near Eggesford railway station following a wave of local opposition.

He had wanted to offer guests a “comfortable, home-from-home holiday let” with animal petting, walking, yoga and art retreats. The caravans would have been veneered with wood panelling.

He had also asked for a new 85-metre-long driveway leading from an unnamed road to a car parking area behind his house, which is called Copper Beech.

A water treatment plant would have been put in to take care of waste the caravans produced.

Chawleigh Parish Council, Eggesford Parish Meeting and more than three dozen local residents wrote to Mid Devon District Council objecting to the plans. One person stayed neutral, and there were no comments in support.

“The proposal to install three permanent static caravans is inappropriate for this site due to the significant visual impact it will have on a cherished rural landscape,” said a spokesperson for Chawleigh Parish Council.

“The proposed site lies just 200 metres from All Saints Church (Grade II*) and is surrounded by other listed properties including Eggesford House, Eggesford Barton, and Rose Cottage (Grade II).”

Venetia Skinner said: “Although I do not begrudge anyone the opportunity to follow their creativity and generate income for themselves, the proposed caravans would be completely out of character in one of the most picturesque and unspoilt valleys in Mid Devon.

“Unfortunately the proposed area of development is not a hidden corner of Eggesford but the main vista as you enter the parish, the field owned by Copper Beach is visible to anyone arriving by train or by road into the area.

“I also feel the church would be greatly impacted by this development, spoiling its peace and serenity this location affords worshippers.”

And Claire Green said: “The proposed design [of the static caravans] is wholly inappropriate for the setting and would constitute a visual intrusion upon the natural beauty of the Taw Valley with such a form more suited to a coastal resort like Dawlish Warren as it is entirely out of character with the rural and unspoiled landscape of this area.

“Should a more sympathetic and contextually appropriate design be proposed, one that respects and complements the setting, I would have no objection.”

Mid Devon District Council’s public health team also said that since the site would not have mains water, a private water supply with treatment would be needed.

And its conservation officer Claire Sutton added: “I do not consider that this proposal would be beneficial to the setting of the listed buildings, or the character of the surrounding landscape.

“Locating any holiday lets closer to the established built form would be better, but this would likely be unsuitable in terms of amenity, and would require a considerably higher standard of design.”

You can find the application on Mid Devon District Council’s website under reference 25/00543/FULL.

To see more public notices and planning applications, visit: publicnoticeportal.uk.