DATE: 01 Jul 2008
Four-day ‘recovered’ inquiry into outline application for 300 dwellings on an unallocated greenfield site at Exminster, Teignbridge District, Devon.
The main issue before the inquiry was whether the principle of residential development at this scale at the appeal site was acceptable. The appellants submitted that: (i) applying the guidance in PPS3 paras. 69 & 71, any breach of the Local Plan’s countryside policy was outweighed by the substantial shortfall in housing supply in the District which could not be addressed without significant delivery from greenfield sites; and (ii) as greenfield sites in the District went, this was a highly environmentally sustainable location which could readily accommodate the scale and nature of development proposed.
A subsidiary issue was the acceptability of the proportion and tenure split of the proposed affordable housing element (35% and 50:50 social rented/intermediate).
Christopher Lockhart Mummery and Charles Banner appeared for the appellants, Midas Homes Ltd.
On 17th October 2008, the Secretary of State announced her decision to allow the appeal and grant planning permission in accordance with the recommendation of the Inspector.
