One replacement dwelling at Land at Former Posbury St Francis Posbury

What was proposed

The application proposed demolishing the former Nazareth accommodation block and building one three-bedroom dwelling with a detached double garage.

“The application site is located at Posbury which is a small dispersed parish lying in the open countryside, approximately 3 miles south west of Crediton and 3 miles north of Tedburn St Mary, accessed through a network of country lanes. Posbury is the site of a medieval estate. The 'bury' element of the name derives from the hillfort to the south-west.”

“The application plot lies to the east of Posbury House and the proposed development is to be limited to a single storey dwelling. The plot was once the kitchen garden to the former convent and through planning permission for the conversion of the chapel and Nazareth House into two dwellings, became the domestic curtilage for Nazareth House. It contains areas of developing trees and scrub and grassland.”

Officer report

Earlier applications

Earlier permissions included converting former convent buildings into two homes, while a later holiday-let application was withdrawn.

“20/01648/OUT - WDN date 6th April 2021 Outline hybrid application for the erection of 1 dwelling; and change of use of chapel to dwelling and demolition of accommodation block…”

“21/00733/FULL - PERCON date 11th June 2021 Conversion of former convent buildings to 2 dwellings…”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval because the replacement would improve the chapel setting, design, neighbour relationships, energy efficiency and biodiversity compared with the existing permission.

“With respect to the planning merits of this planning application and the assessment required, the starting point for a consideration for a fall back dwelling is to whether the scheme represents a betterment to what can be achieved under the planning approval (21/00733/FULL), for the conversion of the building into a dwelling.”

“Improvement to the setting to the non designated heritage asset of the converted chapel • The replacement of the two storey flat roof building with a detached single storey dwelling set lower in the landscape with the design and materials proposed being an improvement to the existing building and sympathetic to the rural surroundings. • Having a low carbon footprint with improved energy efficiency through higher insulation and ground source heat pump.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The applicant spoke, a councillor spoke for the parish council, and the Ward Member submitted a statement read by the Chair.

The committee’s decision

The committee granted permission subject to conditions and a Section 106 agreement requiring Nazareth’s demolition before occupation and preventing further development there.

“Planning Committee – 20 August 2025 11 It was RESOLVED that planning permission be granted subject to conditions and the signing of a S106 agreement to secure: the demolition of Nazareth House prior to occupation of the replacement dwelling and prevention of further development on this part of the site.”

“Plus an additional condition with regard to the removal of contamination if required for which standard condition wording would apply and an amendment to condition 7 with regard to lighting being installed prior to any works above foundation.”

Minutes