Four homes at Whitnage Road, Sampford Peverell

What was proposed

Permission in principle was sought for four residential dwellings and associated works.

“Location: Land at NGR 303304 114741 (Adjacent To Mount Pleasant Farm) Whitnage Road Sampford Peverell…”

“Proposal: Permission in Principle for the erection of 4 dwellings and associated work…”

Officer report

The site

The site was agricultural greenfield land at the village’s north-east edge, accessed from Whitnage Road through a private field gate.

“The application site relates to a parcel of agricultural land situated at the north-east edge of the village. The site is greenfield that is largely laid to grass, with hedges and trees boundaries. The site is currently accessed from an unclassified road, known as Whitnage Road, via a private field gate.”

“The application site is in Flood Zone 1 – the lowest risk of flooding. The Grand Western Canal Conservation Area lies approximately 200 metres to the south of the site. The nearest Public Right of Way is circa 90 metres to the north-west. The north-east boundary of the Sampford Peverell Conservation Area lies approximately 320 metres to the south-west of the site.”

Officer report

Earlier applications

Two earlier outline applications for a bungalow and access changes were refused, while a later field shelter and store application was permitted.

“90/01665/OUT - REFUSE date 23rd October 1990Outline for the erection of a bungalow and alterations to vehicular access 90/02363/OUT - REFUSE date 30th January 1991Outline for the erection of a bungalow 04/00583/FULL - PERMIT date 13th May 2004Erection of field shelter/store building…”

Officer report

Why officers supported it

Officers considered the site suitable for four homes because it was near village services, had transport potential and would help address the housing shortfall.

“Therefore, in the context of the LP, the site can be considered as ‘isolated’ by virtue of its countryside location in strict policy terms. Nonetheless, the Local Planning Authority (the LPA) is no longer able to demonstrate a five-year supply of housing land, with the housing supply figure of 4.79 years published on 31 st March 2025. Furthermore, the LP is now more than five years old, and the standard method of housing land supply applies.”

“The site is within walking distance to the facilities and services in the village, including: a convenient store; post office; public house; village hall, recreation grounds and sports pavilion; play park and the primary school. The village also benefits from very good public transport links, which includes the 373 bus service, community bus and the Tiverton Parkway train station situated circa 15 minutes’ walk from the centre of the village.”

Officer report

What consultees and residents said

The parish council ultimately objected, residents raised environmental and highway concerns, and the highway authority had no objection in principle.

“However, given the ongoing concerns raised during the Public Forum by residents, the Parish Council RESOLVED to object to the application on the grounds of harm to the environment, its…”

“The Highway Authority considers that the site can, in principle, accommodate four dwellings without resulting in an unacceptable impact on the operation or safety of the local highway network, subject that suitable access arrangements, visibility splays, and pedestrian connectivity measures are secured and assessed fully at the Technical Details Consent stage.”

Officer report

What members discussed

Members discussed whether hedgerows and trees would be replanted, with this issue identified for later applications rather than permission in principle.

“Whether hedgerows and trees would be replanted? It was explained that as this was a “permission in principle” application this was not for consideration at this time. However, this would be addressed in any further applications. The Biodiversity Net Gain obligations meant that developers were looking at ways in which to keep hedgerows.”

Minutes

Who spoke

The applicant spoke, and two ward members also spoke.

The committee’s decision

The committee granted planning permission subject to conditions.

“It was RESOLVED that planning permission be granted subject to conditions.”

“(Proposed by Cllr G Cochran and seconded by Cllr S Robinson)”

Minutes