Big new development for Teignmouth

But concerns about flooding

A huge development of new homes is to be built on the outskirts of Teignmouth, despite concerns about an increased risk of flooding.

Harrington Homes will construct 242 properties at Higher Exeter Road – a site set aside for housing in the neighbourhood plan – while 13 custom-build plots will also be provided.

Outline permission was agreed in 2014, but Teignbridge District Council’s planning committee this week approved the final stage ‘reserve matters’ application for the appearance, landscaping, layout and scale of the properties.

It was the second time members had considered the scheme, after deciding in November to defer the application, requesting more information about biodiversity impacts and carbon reduction measures, as well as to conduct a further site visit.

A quarter of the homes (64) will be designated as ‘affordable’ (typically 80 per cent of market rate) and include a mix of affordable rent and shared ownership. They will be offered first to local residents, those in housing need, or those with strong connections to Teignmouth.

At the meeting on Tuesday, a member of the public criticised the felling of some trees to make way for the 255 homes. In addition, he suggested that the estimate of 22 extra primary-age children using nearby schools as a result of the development had been plucked out of the air.

The objector also questioned whether South West Water could handle the extra sewage or run-off, while adding that Higher Exeter Road was “unsuitable” as it would “very quickly become gridlocked, especially at rush hour.”

But a speaker on behalf of the applicant, along with planning officers, said there would be “adequate” capacity in local primary schools once the homes are built. He also said financial contributions as part of the scheme would go directly to schools in Teignmouth.

He explained how the development will have low-carbon heating, solar panels and electric vehicle charging points, while a car club is also a possibility.

“The officer report confirms the development would represent a significant benefit to the delivery of affordable housing in Teignmouth,” he added.

Debating the application, Councillor Chris Clarence (Conservative, Shaldon & Stokeinteignhead) expressed concerns about the potential further strain on the sewage system, reminding the committee that South West Water made 197 emergency sewage discharges in 2020 into the River Teign. He wanted more assurances on this before approval was granted.

Councillor David Cox (Lib Dem), who represents the town, said the “whole premise of this is bad,” urging the committee to reject the application over flooding concerns and because children would need to be driven to primary school, due to the nearest one being full.

“It will put too much strain on Teignmouth’s infrastructure and it’s the wrong development in the wrong place I’m afraid,” he concluded.

Fellow Lib Dem, Councillor Andrew MacGregor (Bishopsteignton) agreed, proposing to refuse due to the development’s potential impact on traffic numbers, along with concerns about pollution, flooding and road safety.

However, planning officers recommended approval, stating in their report that “the benefits of granting reserved matters approval are considered to outweigh the impacts,” subject to the conditions being met.

Members were warned the site is part of the local plan for development, and that developing on such sites “should be the priority.”

The planning officer added the district’s five-year land supply was at risk, meaning there is more likelihood of applications being made for land not allocated for development.

Councillor Jackie Hook (Lib Dem, Bushell) lamented the planning system, saying it “leaves planning committees across the country in extremely difficult positions making difficult decisions that they don’t want to make, and that is where we are at the moment.”

She said it was a “regret” that there is outline permission for the 255 homes, but after weighing up the pros and cons decided it was “the best we’re going to get.” She is concerned some of the scheme’s positives may be lost if the developer won an appeal.

Councillor John Petherick (Independent, Dawlish South West) shared those concerns, saying an appeal for 350 houses in Dawlish around a decade ago cost the council “approximately £300,000, so I think we need to think about this very seriously.”

Members of the committee rejected a proposal to refuse the application, subsequently voting to approve it by nine-to-one.

Conditions for the development include contributions towards affordable housing (25 per cent), air quality, local schools, highways, public transport and biodiversity amongst others.

Harrington Homes aim to start work in “early 2022,” the meeting was told.

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 Planning Permission