New homes plan unanimously rejected

Planned homes at Copythorne Road, Brixham

Green fields on the outskirts of a town will stay undeveloped despite developers accusing a council of pandering to "NIMBYs", a council meeting has heard.

Applicant Peloton Land Ltd wanted to build up to 77 houses on fields off Copythorne Road in Brixham, but had their proposals thrown out by Torbay Council’s planning committee.

Councillors had concerns about traffic to and from the site, and said the fields were too valuable as a piece of countryside.

There was cheering and applause in the meeting held at Brixham Theatre as members voted unanimously to reject the plan.

Ward councillor Alan Tyerman (Con, Churston with Galmpton) said it was "simply not an acceptable development".

He said that "one fact trumps all others,” adding that "the protection of the best parts of our natural environment is of great importance".

The meeting was held at the theatre to bring the debate closer to concerned locals, and around 100 people turned up to listen.

'No Plan B'

They heard Andrew Rowe, on behalf of the developer, deliver the case in favour of building.

“You were elected to serve the whole community, not just the NIMBYs,” he said.

Mr Rowe said the homes would help to meet Torbay’s critical need for housing.

“We’re here because of the housing crisis,” he said. “We’re here because over 1,600 households in Torbay are in need of an affordable home.

"We’re here because 132 households need an affordable home in Brixham.”

He said 27 of the homes on the plot would be affordable.

Mr Rowe said this was in the public interest and there was no Plan B, leaving no option but to grant planning permission.

And he warned the council that if they turned the homes down, the developer would appeal.

'Urban sprawl'

Planning officers told the committee that the proposal went against the local development plan, and would harm the landscape.

Objectors said it would be an ’urban sprawl’ .

Conservative councillor Adam Billings, who represents Churston with Galmpton, said a previous, unconnected application involving land at the nearby golf club had been dismissed at appeal amid concerns about the safety of the narrow roads in the area.

Conservative councillor for Collatob St Mary, Martin Brook argued that the site was an "outstanding" piece of countryside.

He added: “It’s not Brixham’s fault that we haven’t produced the housing needed in Paignton and Torquay.

“And I want to make a statement that I believe in protecting our areas of outstanding natural beauty.”