Sedum roof and external lighting at Bedport Poultry Farm, Burrington, Umberleigh
Summary of planning committee decision
Decided by North Devon Planning Committee on 3 Sept 2025.
The site and its surroundings
The site is in open countryside at a former poultry farm, where the buildings have been demolished and one dwelling is under construction.
“The application site lies within the open countryside and originally consisted of an agricultural building comprising redundant poultry housing and what was associated sorting, packing and storage area associated with the poultry enterprise. The pitched roof of the former agricultural building was substantial. It comprised a timber framed structure with intermediate posts internally and a taller steel portal framed addition, separated by a block wall.”
“The buildings have now been demolished; works have started and one of the dwellings is currently under construction.”
Officer report
Why officers recommended approval
The submitted information was considered sufficient to protect the area’s appearance, enhance biodiversity and avoid harm to wildlife or wider amenity.
“Reason: Insufficient information has been submitted and as such further information is required in order to ensure there is no harm to any wildlife or amenity of the wider area in accordance with policies DM02 and DM08 of the adopted North Devon and Torridge Local Plan.”
“The application is considered to provide sufficient information to ensure that the scheme can address the requirements for safeguarding the appearance and character of the area, enhancing biodiversity and ensuring there is no harm to any wildlife or amenity of the wider area and accords with the adopted development plan. Approval of the application is therefore recommended.”
Officer report
Consultation and objections
Environmental health raised no objection, the sustainability officer found the lighting and sedum roof specification acceptable, and no neighbour objections were recorded.
“Sustainability Officer Reply Received: 12/08/2025 The submitted Lighting Assessment appears to demonstrate that the illumination levels on the eastern boundary can be kept within acceptable limits under the current lighting design. Any additional external lighting should be strictly controlled....the specification is sound (sedum roof).”
Officer report
The committee’s decision
The committee approved the application unanimously in line with the officer recommendation.
“The Committee considered a report by the Senior Planning Officer (SM) (circulated previously) regarding planning application 80454.”
“RESOLVED (unanimous) that the application be APPROVED as recommended by the Senior Planning Officer (SM).”
Minutes
Sources
- North Devon Planning Committee minutes, 3 September 2025
- Agenda and papers (council website)
Source: Plota analysis of North 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
- North Devon Planning Committee
- Council
- North Devon
- Date
- Wednesday 3 September 2025
- Recommendation
- Officers recommended approval
- Committee decided
- Approved
- Vote
- Unanimous
- Minutes
- The council's minutes
- Meeting
- Agenda and papers (council website)
- Application
- The application (council website)
- All decisions
- North Devon committee decisions →
This committee's year
15 decisions in the 12 months to this meeting, 1 against officer advice.
Source: Plota analysis of the committee's minutes.