PLANNING permission has been granted the second time around to demolish a former pub between Thorverton and Silverton and build new houses.

Keith Hoskin was given the thumbs-up last year to convert The Ruffwell Inn into four three-bedroom homes, but he decided to ask Mid Devon District Council if he could knock it down and build four four-bedroom homes instead.

The council rejected those plans in April on the basis that the layout did “not make efficient and effective use of the site”.

Mr Hoskins then put forward fresh plans, which have since been approved, to demolish the pub and build five four-bedroom homes with a different layout.

Mid Devon District Council largely greenlit the fresh scheme for two reasons.

The first was due to the “fallback position”, i.e. the principle of residential use of the site having been established in the approved conversion.

The second was the fact that the council cannot demonstrate a “five-year land supply”, that is, it cannot show the government it has five years’ worth of land for new homes.

“The demolition of public house and erection of five dwellings and associated works at Ruffwell Inn, Thorverton, Exeter, EX5 5NB is considered on balance acceptable, in light of the fallback position provided by 24/01628/FULL and following the engagement of the presumption in favour of sustainable development as set out in the National Planning Policy Framework,” said a spokesperson for Mid Devon District Council.

“The location is considered to be established for residential development and neighbourhood amenity will be protected.

“The overall design, layout and appearance is considered to be suitable for the location and makes effective use of the site.

“There will be no significant adverse impacts in terms of the county highway, flood risk or ecology.

“Due to the council’s lack of five-year housing land supply, the provisions of paragraph 11d of the National Planning Policy Framework are engaged.

“In doing so, it is considered that when assessed against the policies in the framework taken as a whole, any adverse impacts would not significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits.

“It is therefore considered appropriate to recommend approval with conditions necessary to ensure the success of the development in this location.”

You can see the latest approved demolition application on the council’s website under reference 26/00715/FULL.

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

You can also see the earlier approved conversion under reference 24/01628/FULL.