A SECOND bid is being made to rebuild a three-storey house off Crediton High Street that was demolished without planning permission.

The Cott in Stanbury Court was torn down in February 2023 after being bought at auction in a “severely dilapidated condition” by Khalid Khan of KR London Builders.

It was “uninhabitable”, had been “deemed dangerous with structural issues throughout” and there was a pigeon infestation on the upper floors, planning documents say.

Mr Khan had applied to reconstruct the end-of-terrace home last summer.

Outside, white blockwork rendered walls, a tiled roof and timber windows were proposed. Inside, it would have had three bedrooms, a bathroom, bike storage behind the front door and bin storage under the ground floor stairs.

Mid Devon District Council refused permission for the plans on grounds the development would have “resulted in harm to the character and appearance of the Crediton Conservation Area” due to the loss of the traditional building, that it would have failed to meet "nationally described space standards” and because there would have been “inadequate” bin storage.

Mr Khan has since applied again to rebuild The Cott, changing the design to include timber sliding sash windows, a lime rendered finish, a timber front door and heritage-style uPVC rainwater goods in a cast-iron effect.

Inside, it would have kitchen, living and dining space on the ground floor and two bedrooms, a bathroom and a study on the upper floors.

But Mid Devon District Council’s Conservation Officer Claire Sutton has recommended the application be refused again.

“The building was demolished without planning permission, which has created the ‘eyesore’ situation that the applicant states would be improved by the new building,” she said.

“No information has been provided as to why the building had to be demolished, although information was provided about the auction particulars.

“There is nothing in those particulars to suggest that the building was incapable of being repaired, just that it could not be inhabited at present.

“The external appearance was not excellent, but was not the mess it is now following the unauthorised demolition. I still consider this to be a situation where deliberate neglect can be a consideration.

“No advice has been taken on board with regard to the storage of bins.

“This is a very basic requirement of a new dwelling, and could easily be built into the structure.

“Lime render is proposed to blockwork walls. This is not sensible, as breathable coverings are not required for modern materials.

“Brick was discussed at the preapp, and was supported. No information has been provided as to why the advice has been ignored in this instance.

“I do not consider that the proposal would be an appropriate replacement for the historic structure within the conservation area that was demolished without permission.”

You can see the application on Mid Devon District Council’s website under reference 25/00548/FULL.

Members of the public have until Friday, May 30 to comment on the proposals.

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