Youth football facility at Cuckoo Down Lane, Honiton

“The surrounding landscape is open countryside largely characterised by medium sized fields separated by hedgerows and with some hedgerow trees, it is sparsely populated. The Honiton Golf Course to the south of the site represent an existing recreational use but is largely screened by surrounding tree belts.”

“The site occupies an elevated position approximately 1 mile to the southeast of Honiton town centre. It lies within the East Devon National Landscape (formerly AONB) and within 100 metres of the Blackdown Hills National Landscape the boundary of which is Cuckoo Down Lane just to the north of the site.”

“23/0735/MFUL The construction of a youth football facility, including clubhouse, parking, storage and football pitches to suit all age groups. Withdrawn 07.05.24”

“Firstly, the site is not considered to be sustainably located, and most journeys are likely to be undertaken by car. Secondly, there would be some landscape and visual impact on the National Landscape and change to its character as a result of the built form of the car park and clubhouse, the removal of existing landscape features (hedgerow), the land raising and engineered form of the pitches and the use of the site.”

“The provision of additional youth football pitches to serve the town against a longstanding and ongoing need, as well as providing associated facilities not currently available, is a recognised benefit. On the other hand, the location is not considered to be sustainably located, and the proposal would result in a change to the character of the site and some localised landscape harm and ecological impact.”

“The proposal would have a harmful environmental impact, disrupting local wildlife, harming local wildlife and resulting in the loss of green space/harm to the AONB. • The site is poorly located at the top of a steep hill meaning all users will need to travel by car and where car sharing can not be guaranteed.”

“Impact of necessary golf ball netting has not been fully considered • Concerns over whether sufficient funding is in place to complete the project and that public funds may be needed to underwrite the proposal • The proposed location is elevated and exposed to the elements bringing into question its suitability for youth sport • There are a number of alternative sites that don’t appear to have been fully considered including: Offwell football club, which is nearby is…”

“Proposal: Detailed planning application for the change of use of land to football pitches, erection of clubhouse, new access and parking, landscaping, engineering and ancillary works.”

“This application was deferred to a later date.”