Eight homes at Cranford Sports Club, Exmouth

“Proposal: Outline application for the erection of 8no dwellings. Seeking approval for access, layout and scale (Matters Reserved: landscaping and appearance)”

“The proposal seeks outline planning permission for the development of eight residential dwellings. Approval is sought for access, layout and scale with other matters reserved. The application therefore focuses on the principle of the development, whether the access proposals are acceptable in highway safety terms, and whether the layout and scale of the development is acceptable.”

“The application site comprises part of the Cranford Sports Club in Salterton Road, specifically an area of the site to the south of the main complex, currently comprising five tennis courts, of which three are presently unused.”

“The site is an irregularly shaped piece of land, extending to 0.44ha, bounded to the east, south and west by existing residential properties, and to the north by land associated with the sports club. It is generally level, reflecting the former sports use, rising slightly to the proposed access onto Cranford View.”

“There have been several planning applications relating to the sports club over many years, however the following are of particular relevance to the current application…”

“24/0015/V106 Application to vary S106 agreement ref no 000445/SS in respect of application numbers 21/2566/COU and 15/1679/OUT, and deed of variations dated 07/04/2016, 13/02/1996, and 13/01/2022 Refused 05.03.2024 21/2566/COU Change of use of disused recreational land to garden use in association with 4 and 5 Cranfield Close Approved 24.01.2022 16/1155/RES Construction of 5 no.”

“Overall, having regard to the technical consultation responses, the submitted plans and supporting information, and the ability to secure mitigation by condition and legal agreement, the identified harms are not considered to significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits of the proposal when assessed against the policies of the adopted local plan and the Framework when taken as a whole.”

“APPROVE subject to the applicant entering into a S106 agreement to secure financial obligations towards sports provision and habitat mitigation, and planning permission having been granted for the development proposed under reference 26/0478/FUL, and the following conditions:”

“The Town Council supports the Club’s long-term future, but raise concerns regarding the proposed access, and proposed mitigation measures to compensate for the loss of the tennis courts. The Ward Member and public representations raise concerns about overdevelopment, parking, access, drainage and residential amenity. However technical consultees, including the Highway Authority, Environmental Health and Ecology raise no objections, subject to appropriate conditions.”

“Parish/Town Council Meeting 01.09.25 Objection: While members support the Club's long-term future, concerns were raised regarding access'particularly via Cranford View, which is very narrow'and highway safety, especially considering the nearby ballet school and the need to address visitor parking for the school. Members felt the plans should be thoroughly reviewed by Highways, who had yet to comment.”

“RESOLVED: The Appropriate Assessment be adopted. Approved in accordance with officer recommendation subject to the completion of a S106 agreement to secure financial obligations towards sports provision and habitat mitigation and conditions.”