Controversial homes plan approved

Flooding concerns are addressed

Controversial plans to turn a redundant care home into four properties at Instow have been approved.

Local residents raised concerns about access roads if the former 15 bed Silver Threads residential home in Lyndale Terrace is replaced by a detached property and three flats.

They were also worried about parking and flooding risks.

Instow Parish Council objected to the scheme too, claiming the plan consituted overdevelopment.

North Devon councillor for Instow Cllr Lucinda Renshaw (Con) was glad something was being done with the building which had been vacant for several years, but agreed with the objections that additional parking should be created.

One of 23 nearby residents opposing the scheme wrote in a letter to North Devon Council: “There is not enough parking here now. There are only six car spaces for the six houses that are here at present. Another set of dwelliings would cause even more problems than we have with two of the six houses being holiday lets, often bringing multiple cars each.”

Planning officers said that contrary to the development being cramped, the properties were well spaced and created clear amenity areas. They claimed the design would enhance the appearance of the building.

Devon County Council confirmed that there were no overriding impacts on roads and had no objections to the plan.

But concerns were raised by the county council and Environment Agency about the function of the culvert which runs beneath the site as properties had flooded 20 years ago.

On a site visit with local residents, the case officer viewed the location of the culvert and heard accounts that this could be blocked because of wreckage material from a nearby estuary.

They found it in an acceptable condition, but said there was a clear need to maintain the culvert to mitigate flood risk and reflect this in the design of the properties.

Planning permission was granted with amendments to address flooding concerns.

A condition was put in place to ensure management of the culvert, and obscured glazing would be installed on some window to protect neighbours.

The applicant, Michelle Lawrence, will have to provide £19,000 towards primary and secondary education, and £8,000 towards recreational facilities in order to get planning approval.