21 homes in Honiton approved despite objections

Planners waved through the scheme

A development of up to 21 homes in Honiton has been approved despite local objections.

Residents raised concerns including about its potential impact on wildlife, flooding, possible detriment to existing neighbours and fears about a proposed new junction.

The application to East Devon District Council’s planning committee was an outline scheme, meaning the exact number of homes is not yet known, nor what type of properties they will be or how they will be laid out.

The land next to the A30 north west of Ottery Moor Lane, is currently outside a boundary where development is permitted.

However, the location has recently been highlighted by East Devon District Council as one where development could be acceptable.

That decision was made as part of the ongoing work to approve the district’s local plan, which identifies land where it would acceptable to build.

In terms of the Honiton scheme, the town council opposed the loss of the so-called ‘green wedge’ – undeveloped land that punctuates developed areas – between Mountbatten Mews and the A30.

It is also concerned about more traffic using Ottery Moor Lane, a single track road. The developer, Taylor Wimepy, has proposed a new access, but the town council doubts how effective it would be.

Resident Michael Atley said he had “deep concern and outright opposition” to the proposed new road junction, which he said is just 30 metres from his home.

“There are more than 50 citizens who are objecting to this scheme and I’m sure they would have welcomed the opportunity to all speak on this,” he said.

“In healthcare, we have a simple assessment method of assessing something we’re doing; we ask ourselves ‘is this good enough for your mother?’

“Is this application? I think let’s make it better.”

Samantha Thomas, from the applicant’s agent Carney Sweeney, said the application had originally been submitted in August 2023, and that in that time national planning guidelines had changed twice, now making the site viable for development.

“We have been working hard to address various technical issues,” she said.

“During the course of the application, we have provided more onsite open space and better drainage.

“The relevant consultees think the site can be drained and that noise [from the A30] can be mitigated.”

National Highways has concerns about noise from the A30 and the impact on prospective residents.

However, the council’s environmental health team is “satisfied that significant adverse impacts can be avoided” with the right mitigation measures.

The planning committee voted to approve the outline scheme, with eight members voting for it, three voting against and one abstaining.