Five self-build homes at Land Adjoining Shepherds Court, Lower Lane, Ebford
Summary of planning committee decision
Decided by East Devon Planning Committee on 18 Nov 2025.
What was proposed
The application sought permission in principle for five self-build dwellings on land adjoining Shepherds Court, Lower Lane, Ebford.
“Proposal: Permission in principle for the erection of 5no. self-build dwellings…”
Officer report
Earlier applications and changes
Earlier applications for 13 dwellings and an access track were refused, but the housing-supply shortfall and a nearby appeal changed the planning circumstances.
“Material Planning Considerations The officer’s delegated reports for 23/0359/FUL, 23/0348/FUL and 23/0358/FUL which collectively sought planning approval for the construction of 13 dwellings and an access track at the application site were refused on principle, lack of information with regards to surface water, absence of a Section 106 agreement to secure affordable housing and impacts on character of the area and amenity of adjacent properties.”
“Furthermore, a recent appeal decision for an appeal lodged against the Council’s refusal of planning permission at Land at Branscombe Farm, Ebford Lane for the construction of two dwellings was dismissed. The application was considered in context of paragraph 11d) and whilst dismissed the inspector found that the appeal site was in a sustainable location (See paragraphs 7 – 12 of APP/U1105/W/24/3347347 EDDC Ref 24/0110/FUL, included later in this report).”
Officer report
Residents’ objections
Twenty-nine objections covered planning history, policy conflict, ecological and flooding risks, unsafe access, traffic, unsustainability, character and self-build claims.
“Conflict with Planning Policy • The proposal conflicts with: • East Devon Local Plan (Strategies 5B, 7, 27) • Clyst St George Neighbourhood Plan (Policies CSG1, CSG8, CSG9) • National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) • Ebford is not a designated settlement for housing development.”
“Questionable Self-Build Claims • Allegations that previous “self-build” homes were actually standard developer builds. • Concerns about misuse of self-build designation to avoid taxes and regulations.”
Officer report
What members discussed
Councillors Kim Bloxham and Bethany Collins did not participate because they had not attended the site visit.
“Councillors Kim Bloxham and Bethany Collins did not participate in the discussion or vote on this application as they had not attended the site visit.”
Minutes
The committee’s decision
The committee adopted the Appropriate Assessment and approved the application in accordance with the officer recommendation.
“The Appropriate Assessment be adopted. Approved in accordance with officer recommendation.”
Minutes
Sources
- East Devon Planning Committee minutes, 18 November 2025
- Agenda and papers (council website)
Source: Plota analysis of East Devon's committee minutes and officer report. Quotations are the council's own words; headings and summaries are Plota's.
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See the API →At the meeting
- Committee
- East Devon Planning Committee
- Council
- East Devon
- Date
- Tuesday 18 November 2025
- Recommendation
- Officers recommended approval
- Committee decided
- Approved
- Minutes
- The council's minutes
- Meeting
- Agenda and papers (council website)
- Application
- The application (council website)
- All decisions
- East Devon committee decisions →
This committee's year
13 decisions in the 12 months to this meeting, 1 against officer advice.
Source: Plota analysis of the committee's minutes.