50 homes and open space at Land To The East Of Buckland Road, Newton Abbot

What was proposed

Outline permission was sought for up to 50 homes, with access from Buckland Road, public open space, play space, landscaping and drainage works.

“It makes provision for public open space, children’s play space, landscaping and associated wildlife enhancements, sustainable urban drainage with foul pumping station and associated engineering works. Submitted documents set out that the net developable area is 1.43ha, with the proposed density of 35 dwellings per hectare. The development will accommodate a variety of house types and sizes ranging from 2-4 bedroom homes.”

Officer report

The site and its history

The site is open farmland on Newton Abbot’s eastern edge, allocated for development, with no relevant planning history and an earlier withdrawn housing application.

“DESCRIPTION Site Description 3.1 The application site equates to approximately 3.6ha of open farmland located on the eastern edge of Newton Abbot, adjacent to the residential area of Buckland. Buckland Road runs adjacent to the western and northern boundaries of the site. To the west lies an area of residential development and an area of public open space. A mixture of agricultural, commercial and residential buildings are located around the site.”

Officer report

Why officers supported it

Officers recommended approval because the allocation supported housing, while design, landscape, heritage, transport, drainage and ecology impacts could be addressed through the scheme and conditions.

“The application was supported by an Archaeological Written Scheme of Investigation. The proposed development site lies in an area of known high archaeological potential where later prehistoric and Romano-British activity is recorded in the surrounding landscape.”

“As in accordance with the requirements of policy GC16 the application submission has been supported by a Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment. The policy requires proposals to include specific landscape and design measures to mitigate impacts on the landscape of the Teign Estuary. This policy is read in conjunction with policy EN4 which requires development to conserve and enhance the District’s landscape character and scenic quality.”

Officer report

Who spoke at the meeting

An objecting councillor raised traffic, wildlife, landscape and farmland concerns, while the agent supported the allocation, housing mix and highway position.

What members discussed

Members discussed the narrow road, HGV movements, cycle and pedestrian facilities, the landscape assessment, the number of homes and adoption of internal roads.

“Comments raised by Committee Members included: • Buckland Road, the access road is too narrow for cycle/pedestrian dual pavement and used by HGVs to and from the sewerage works. • The landscape assessment was based on 30 dwellings not up to 50.”

“Concern was also raised regarding the adoption of the roads within the development, that they are not left unadopted once the development is completed. It was proposed by Councillor Bullivant that the application be approved as set out in the agenda report, subject to the amended conditions detailed in the updates sheet, the amendment to condition 18 as detailed by the Senior Planning Officer, and a further condition relating to the adoption of the development roads.”

Minutes

The committee’s decision

Planning permission was granted subject to the legal agreement, the additional road-adoption condition and the listed planning conditions.

“PLANNING PERMISSION be granted subject to:”

“A. The completion of a Legal Agreement securing the following:”

Minutes