88 homes at Langford Bridge Farm, Newton Abbot

The site and its surroundings

The Phase 2 site lies south of Newton Abbot, beside the first phase, football facilities, Priory Road, mature trees and hedgerows, and land for later phases.

“The ‘reserved matters’ to be considered as part of this current application are Appearance, Landscaping, Layout and Scale. The ‘reserved matter’ relating to Access to the site as already been approved by virtue of the hybrid application reference 19/00238/FUL, which granted full planning for the vehicular access point to the site from Kingskerswell Road, and the ‘reserved matters’ approval reference 22/01151/MAJ for 40 dwellings on Phase 1 to the east of the current…”

“To the west is land subject to the wider outline permission which is set for further residential development and open space as part of future phases. The site tends to rise in southerly and south westerly directions and is bounded on all sides by well-established mature trees and hedgerows. PLANNING HISTORY 5.1 The key applications relevant to this approval of reserved matters have been itemised in the table below.”

Officer report

Earlier permissions

The proposal followed a 2020 hybrid permission, a 2023 approval for 40 homes in Phase 1 and later applications concerning conditions and infrastructure.

“Application No. Type of Application Description Decision 19/00238/MAJ Hybrid Planning Application Full planning permission for part link road and vehicular access point to the site from Kingskerswell Road, phased outline planning permission for residential led mixed use development comprising up to 450 dwellings within Use Class C3, a local centre of up to 279 sq metres (GIA) with in Use Classes A1, A2, A3, D1 and D2, up to 22,000 sq metres of employment uses including all B…”

“Discharged 05 July 2023 19/00238/COND11 Discharge of Condition Discharge of conditions 6 (Phasing Plan), 9 (Carbon Reduction), 12 (Surface Water), 14 (Biodiversity), 15 (Bat Roost), 16 (External Lighting), 17 (CEMP: Biodiversity), 21 (CEMP: Construction), 22 (Air Quality) & 23 (Foul Water) on outline planning permission 19/00238/MAJ Condition 6 discharged 19 December 2023 Conditions 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 21 & 22 discharged 13 March 2024 Conditions 12 & 23 discharged 28 March…”

Officer report

Why officers supported it

Officers considered the proposal consistent with the outline permission and design code, with acceptable design, landscaping, ecology, residential amenity, drainage and carbon measures.

“The Design Code was approved on 2 nd June 2023 under application reference 19/00238/COND4. The Design Code identifies the use of split-level properties as an appropriate solution for this area of the site which better integrates the level changes and results in improvements to the overall design of the development.”

“Condition 9 attached to the hybrid permission requires details of the carbon reduction measures, EV charging points and secure cycle storage to be submitted with each ‘reserved matters’ application that includes buildings. As part of this application, the carbon reduction measures are set out in the Sustainability Statement that is submitted, and the location of EV charging points and cycle storage are provided on the supporting detailed drawings.”

Officer report

Design and environmental issues

The layout used split-level homes, reduced hedgerow breaches, retained green corridors and included controls for lighting, play space, footpaths, planting and drainage.

“(i) In the southern part of the development, where split level properties are proposed; (ii) Centrally, with the reduced length of a ‘green’ pedestrian only corridor; and finally, (iii) The reduction in the number of highway breaches along the existing hedgerow.”

“The reduction in the number of highway breaches along the existing hedgerow has been assessed in the planning balance with the benefits of the proposed approach in design and ecological terms far outweighing these considerations if the Masterplan and Design Code was strictly followed.”

Officer report

Responses from consultees

Highways, housing, biodiversity, ecology, climate change, Natural England and the flood authority raised no objections subject to stated measures and conditions.

“DCC Highways 3 Oct 2025 Following receipt of further information regarding road hierarchy, road gradients, surfacing materials, tracking and private parking, no objections are raised to this ‘reserved matters’ application for phase 2. Road hierarchy adjusted with further shared surface introduced. Delineated flush kerbing to be installed to highlight service margin / footway. Gradient of highway on eastern side reduced to 1:12.”

“TDC Climate Change Officer 10 Sept 2025 Observations offered relating to cycle stores, air source heat pumps, EV charge points, SAP calculations and Embodied Carbon. No objections raised subject to the imposition of a condition relating to embodied carbon.”

Officer report

Comments from councils and groups

Parish and town councils raised concerns about drainage, footpaths, transport, accessibility, infrastructure and services, while the civic society welcomed natural stone.

“Newton Abbot Town Council objects to the proposal asking for the following points to be addressed: • Insufficient information on how attenuation ponds and water runoff into ditches will be managed • Clear long-term maintenance plans must be provided to prevent flooding risks or environmental damage • The development is out of town and isolated, with no adequate public transport links • Concerns with accessibility and connectivity for residents in relation to schools,…”

“A comment has been received in relation to this application from the Newton Abbot & District Civic Society. The comment welcomes the proposed use of natural stone on feature buildings. Whilst the comment does request that this material is used across a ‘high proportion’ of the houses, it is not considered that this would be necessary given the already prominent use of natural stone on key buildings and the use of pastel coloured render and brick detailing reflective of…”

Officer report

Who spoke

A supporter representing the applicant highlighted local housing, affordable homes, design-code compliance, layout changes, solar panels and reduced building heights.

The vote

A proposal to refuse was not seconded, and a proposal to grant reserved matters was supported by seven members, opposed by one, with one abstention.

“It was proposed by Councillor Sanders, seconded by Councillor Cox and…”

“Reserved matters be granted, subject to the following conditions:”

Minutes