Development at historic site given go-ahead

The proposals were previously rejected twice

A plan for up to 100 homes to be built on land near a historic house has been approved.

The proposals for Tidcombe Hall in Tiverton were rejected for a second time by Mid Devon District Council's planning committee last year, with the plan attracting some 170 letters of objection.

Opponents at the time expressed concern about the impact on the nearby Grand Western Canal, an increased risk of flooding and increased traffic along Tidcombe Lane.

The firm behind the scheme, Tidcombe Holdings, lodged an appeal in January and said the council could not meet government planning targets relating to the number of developable sites in the district.

'Devastating decision'

The Planning Inspectorate scrutinised the proposal over a two-week period during May and June and has now accepted the appeal, meaning that outline planning permission is approved, the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) reported.

Council leader Luke Taylor said: "This devastating decision is a direct consequence of the recent adjustment to housing targets.

"We had a five-year housing land supply and robust local plan policies but the 65 percent increase has fundamentally undermined our position."

The planning inspector said the potential impact would not be overly damaging

The planning inspector said the potential impact on the character and appearance of the area would not be overly damaging, adding that he felt the proposed development would only have an "overall neutral effect on the significance of Tidcombe Hall" as a heritage asset.

The planning inspector said: "124 affordable dwellings are needed per year in Mid Devon but the net delivery has averaged 45 dwellings per year only.

"Therefore, significant weight can also be afforded to the delivery of affordable housing as part of this development."

The inspector attached 29 conditions to his approval, including a plan for how trees would be protected.

The approval is for an outline plan, meaning the developer would need to submit a full application with all details of the scheme.

Mid Devon's planning committee will scrutinise it.