An unwelcome surprise for the new year is a detailed planning application for 255 houses west of Higher Exeter Road (Planning Application 17/024880/MAJ)

I strongly opposed and moved refusal of the outline application for Higher Exeter Road at the Teignbridge planning committee on 29th July 2014 to grant outline planning permission (14/00447/MAJ), the vote was lost 5-15. Along with residents I was very concerned about the impact on the landscape, ecology and particularly traffic issues. I was particular concerned that the developers had included land in this application which is outside the designated TE3 in Plan Teignbridge – the Local Plan.

TE3 has been earmarked for residential development including “on-site provision of formal and informal recreation areas”. However in the application 14/00447/MAJ two recreational areas were proposed outside the north-west and south-west boundaries of the TE3 site. My reading of Plan Teignbridge is that the TE3 policy states that all the residential AND recreational facilities should be contained within the TE3 boundary. (page 125 https://www.teignbridge.gov.uk/…/1669/local-plan-2013-33.pdf. )

Whilst it has to be accepted that Higher Exeter Road is identified for housing development in TE3 (on page 125 of Plan Teignbridge). It doesn’t mean 255 houses on this site is a forgone conclusion, albeit they will have to be some development. The planers should give Policy EN2 Undeveloped Coast (page 61 of Plan Teignbridge)  greater weight in deciding this application. EN2 says: “The protection, maintenance and enhancement of the distinctive landscape and seascape character and ecological qualities of the undeveloped coast, will be a priority alongside the ecological and biodiversity considerations. Development which would have a detrimental effect on the character of the undeveloped coast and estuaries will not be permitted.”

Design: The building of 255 houses in this elevated site would be overbearing and dominant in the landscape and have a major detrimental effect on the landscape (EN2 Undeveloped Coast).

Traffic and Access: The concerns about the access for traffic on/off the B3192 (Higher Exeter Road) have not been adequately addressed. The future residents on this site are likely to have between 500 – 600 cars.

Drainage and Flooding: The valley has many springs and streams, this used to be Teignmouth’s water supply. The valley also absorbs a lot of rain and surface water, the impact of increased run-off could cause a high flood risk for homes downhill.