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This was an appeal against Exeter City Council’s refusal to grant planning permission for a 60 bed residential care home, 44 assisted living apartments and 55 age restricted dwellings on the edge of Topsham. The main issues included: (1) whether the Council could demonstrate that it had a five year housing land supply, which turned on whether it was appropriate to include student accommodation within the housing land supply; and (2) whether the development was in breach of development plan policies relating to the ‘Topsham Gap’ between Exeter and Topsham, and if so what weight should be given to those polices. Charles Banner appeared for the appellant developer, Waddeton Park Ltd (instructed by Stephens Scown LLP) Stephen Whale appeared for Exeter City Council (instructed by the Council’s Legal Department). On 28 April 2016 the Inspector published his decision allowing the appeal, together with a partial award of costs in the Appellant’s favour.
