12 affordable homes at Garages and Forecourt Roundhill, Tiverton

What was proposed

The scheme would demolish existing garages and build 12 social-rented homes with parking, landscaping, solar panels and associated works.

“This application is for the erection of 12 affordable dwellings with parking, landscaping and associated works. Additional unallocated parking is also to be provided for residents in the wider vicinity. The proposal also includes the demolition of up to 60 existing dilapidated garaging.”

“The proposed development would comprise 12 new homes, made up of 2 blocks of 4 dwellings and 2 blocks of 2 dwellings. Each unit is proposed to be 2 bed/3 person houses. The properties would have level access from the west, with accommodation over two floors. Undercroft car and cycle parking is also proposed to each of the properties, which is accessible from the lower level of Roundhill.”

Officer report

The site and its history

The site lies between two levels of Roundhill, contains garages, hardstanding and woodland, and is allocated for 20 affordable homes.

“The site is within the defined settlement limit of Tiverton and is located on land between two spurs of Roundhill, a residential street off Seven Crosses Road, to the east of Tiverton. The site itself is included within the Mid Devon Local Plan as an allocated site for residential development (TIV10), of 20 affordable dwellings.”

“The site is split level as a result of the change in topography, with access directly from both parts of Roundhill, of which both levels currently contain garages and hardstanding. There are existing residential properties along Roundhill, on lower ground to the east, and on higher ground within Lower Cotteylands to the west. The garages on the two levels are separated, and intermingled, with a sizeable belt of tree and hedge planting.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval because the site was suitable and allocated for affordable housing, while the benefits were judged to outweigh tree-cover loss.

“AGENDA 29 10.6 Taking all the above into consideration, it is considered that the balance weighs in favour of approval of the application. Despite the regrettable loss of tree cover on site, the site allocation, and the benefits associated with providing this affordable housing, for which there is a demand locally, are considered to outweigh the identified harm on this occasion.”

“The site is located within the defined settlement limit of Tiverton and is additionally an allocated site for the provision of affordable housing, therefore the principle of residential development on this site is accepted. The overall design, scale and layout of the residential development is acceptable in this location.”

Officer report

Residents’ main concerns

Residents said existing informal parking would be lost or displaced and questioned drainage capacity, contamination, overlooking, safety, habitat loss and consultation.

“- There are existing parking issues in the immediate area. There are concerns that even though each property will have allocated spaces, the residents won’t use them, instead taking up space on the road, used by existing residents. - The existing garages were used by local residents until January 2025, before their tenancies were ended. Residents often park in front of the garages, and on the hardstanding within the site.”

“- It has been advised that existing drains in front of a neighbouring property have collapsed and remaining pipes are weak. It is asked whether South West Water will be installing stronger, more suitable drainage for the properties. Other residents have advised that they understood that the existing drainage and foul water systems were inadequate to deal with additional homes.”

Officer report

Who spoke

An objector, a councillor speaking for the town council and two ward members spoke during the committee item.

The votes

A proposed site visit was defeated, and the committee then voted to grant permission subject to conditions, with three councillors against and one abstention.

“It was proposed by Cllr L G J Kennedy and seconded by Cllr B Holdman that a site visit be carried out in order that Members could better consider the impact of the development on the local community, whether it would affect fire and public safety, to consider the closeness of the dwellings with regard to privacy for residents and to look at the stability of the land.”

“Planning Committee – 9 September 2026 7 It was RESOLVED that planning permission be granted subject to conditions.”

Minutes