Fremington residents cheer as new homes rejected

Anger at access and over-development

To the cheers of residents, plans for up to 161 new homes in Fremington in North Devon have been have been rejected after objectors presented a petition with over 1,400 names and more than 265 people wrote individual letters opposing the development. 

Members of North Devon Council’s planning committee, meeting at Barnstaple Rugby Club on Wednesday with dozens of residents present, heard details of the proposed project for 113 houses for the open market and 48 affordable homes on land north of St Andrews Road in the village. 

The plan includes six hectares of public open space including a new football pitch and wildflower meadow.

The applicant, Vistry Homes Limited, is also applying to demolish an existing house on St Andrews Rd to provide access to the development. 

However, the proposal to flatten an existing home in a quiet residential area to make a relatively narrow road which could eventually see hundreds of vehicles use it was widely criticised.

One resident, who lives in the house next to the one proposed for demolition, said it had been her home since 1963 and feared there would be much more noise and congestion. 

There was also concern about accessibility.  Liberal Democrat councillor for Bickington, Helen Walker, suggested the narrow access road would be unsuitable for many people. 

“It is considerably below two metres wide,” she said 

“And as a person who uses wheels and not feet, I would find that very difficult to turn round, let alone pass anybody.”

Other councillors argued the location of the proposed new road makes little sense. 

The house slated for demolition if new housing goes ahead (image courtesy: North Devon District Council)

Conservative councillor for Witheridge, Jeremy Yabsley, believes another area of land is destined to be developed with a more substantial access point which should be prioritised over the St Andrews Road application. 

“We should bring forward that area first with direct access to the main road,” he said. Therefore, not having to impact this small residential road and the people who live there. 

“It’s not, I think, up to spec in terms of the actual existing access to and from the main road. 

“And there’ll be all the lorries in the development phase around this corner – through this gap created by demolishing one house and I just think it is not acceptable.”

Lib Dem councillor for Newport, Caroline Leaver, said getting the balance right between the need to provide new homes and protecting the quality of life of existing residents was difficult.  

She said: “It’s delicate and it’s like we are being asked to make a decision against – on the one hand … what we would all agree is a significant impact on individual existing householders and on the other hand, we’ve got the wider potential benefits of affordable housing, biodiversity net gain and so on and so forth.”

Cllr Leaver proposed a motion to refuse the application.  Members agreed unanimously and the result was met with cheers and applause from people in the clubhouse.