Plans to build 20 houses on land near the village of Lamerton have been refused by West Devon Borough Council, writes Philip Churm, local democracy reporter. 

The proposed development was for the side and rear of a small residential cul-de-sac named The Farriers and close to The Blacksmiths Arms pub.  In their deliberations, councillors focused mainly on access to the site.

The application was called to the development management and licensing committee by Cllr Neil Jory (Conservative, Milton Ford) who is also council leader. 

Cllr Jory argued that the plans did not meet any of the requirements of the joint local plan policy as it is a greenfield site, it would not provide enough affordable housing and that the need to build new homes in the village was already being met by other developments. 

Supporting the development, Richard Ayre, land and planning director at would-be developers Baker Estates argued: ‘The benefits from delivery of just 20 homes are significant. 

‘The site has and will be designed to avoid harm. It is deliverable, as this application has shown.’ 

But Cllr Jory disagreed saying: ‘Lamerton has plenty of open market housing, and the priority for the neighbourhood plan is now to concentrate on ways of providing affordable housing.’

And he suggested that there was no call for such a development at this time. ‘This proposal is for an unjustified housing development in the countryside,’ he said.

‘It does not meet the requirements for an exception site. And is likely to create an unsafe environment for pedestrians.’

Written objections added to the weight of public opinion that: ‘The erection of up to 20 dwellings on this site would be an extension of the village into open countryside and effectively extend the village boundary.

‘It will have a significant impact on the landscape character and damage the natural beauty and special qualities of the area.’

While others were more concerned about spoiling the local character. One objector said: ‘The application site encroaches into the open countryside. The site makes a positive contribution to the character and appearance of the area and the proposed development would noticeably diminish the positive attributes of the site.’

Councillors voted unanimously against the plans.