Beautiful protected area of Devon saved from development

An East Devon village won’t have to accommodate some extra homes, meaning a protected area of land won’t be developed.

Land south of Bedlands Lane and west of Dark Lane in Budleigh Salterton had been put forward as an area where up to 50 homes could be built.

Even though planning officers at East Devon District Council had suggested this site was not suitable for housing, the strategic planning committee had previously included it in the draft local plan because it believed the town should take more housing.

The council is developing its draft local plan, which identifies sites where new homes and employment property can be built in the next 18 years. It suggests a maximum number of homes for each site.

And for homes to be built, a formal planning application would need to be submitted by a developer and then approved by the council’s planning committee.

This site in Budleigh Salterton is deemed part of a ‘green wedge’ – an area of land that separates two communities – between the town and Knowle. Officers analysed the land but concluded it would not be acceptable for development.

It is in a National Landscape, the new name for Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Ed Freeman, assistant director for planning strategy and development management, said: “There was a discussion that the least sensitive parts of the site could be developed.

He said a potential developer had submitted an indicative scheme that would only use a part of the site, but that officers had concerns.

“It would be hard to justify, as the development would be in the National Landscape and we believe we can meet the district’s housing needs without this site being allocated,” Mr Freeman added.

In a vote, six councillors voted in favour of not allocating the site for potential development, with three against and two abstaining.