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Thursday 15 December 2016

Green Belts: the Seaton-Colyford 'green wedge'... a fourth application is refused, preventing 'harmful encroachment of urban sprawl into the open countryside'

The attempts to build on the 'green belt' between Seaton and Colyford have been pretty persistent over the last three years:
Futures Forum: Green Belts: the Seaton-Colyford 'green wedge'
Futures Forum: Green Belts: the Seaton-Colyford 'green wedge'... "The shortfall in housing land supply is not so severe..."

As reported in the national press:
The greenbelt land at the centre of housing battle | West Country - ITV News

A forth planning application was submitted:
Seaton/Colyford green wedge under attack from developers for the fourth time | East Devon Watch

It has just been refused:
Outline planning application for a mixed use development providing for class B1(a) (offices up to 5050sqm), class B1(c) and B2 light/general industrial units (upto 3500sqm), open space and the erection of up to 150 no. dwellings (21 no.affordable) and associated roads and infrastructure including a main spine road

There are several knock-on issues involved, including:
Where did the affordable housing go? - View News

The Pulman's Weekly reports: 


Relief as Seaton and Colyford green wedge is saved from development

By Anders Larsson December 14, 2016




Seaton town councillor Martin Shaw and Seaton & Colyford Green Wedge Community Action Group leader Howard West at a public meeting in October

SEATON Town Council planning committee chairman Martin Shaw has praised East Devon District Council (EDDC) for saving the green wedge between Seaton and Colyford from development.

EDDC yesterday refused a controversial outline planning application for up to 150 houses.

The application also featured an employment area with up to 5,050 square metres for offices and 3,500 square metres for light industrial use backing onto the existing employment area off Harepath Road; a new football pitch and a training and recreation area; a new access road and associated landscaping and green infrastructure.

Opposition was rife when the plans were announced and Seaton & Colyford Green Wedge Community Action Group held public meetings to drum up objections.

The amended application was the latest one in a string of applications since 2012 by Seaton Park (Devon) Ltd, the previous one being turned down on appeal by a government inspector in January 2014.

Seaton Town Council planning committee chairman Councillor Martin Shaw said: “I’m pleased that EDDC has agreed with Seaton Town Council, Colyton Parish Council and the many local people who objected to this proposal.

“The decision emphasises that the scheme is unviable and would not be able to deliver either the employment or recreational elements needed on the part of the site scheduled for development in the Local Plan, while the proposed housing would produce sprawling development in the countryside.

“It’s noteworthy that the failure to assess the impact on the bats in Beer Cave is given as an additional reason. The district council has protected Seaton’s and Colyford’s natural environment and the green wedge and we should all be grateful for this.”

Part of EDDC’s decision notice said: “Taking into account the viability issues (based principally around land value), the Local Planning Authority considers that the scheme as submitted is unviable and so would not be able to deliver either the employment element or deliver value for money on the formal recreational element.”

The decision was taken by officers under delegated powers.


Relief as Seaton and Colyford green wedge is saved from development - View News

Here is an observation from the East Devon Watch blog:



GREEN WEDGES REINFORCED BY PLANNING DECISIONS IN EASTERN AND WESTERN SEATON

15 DEC 2016

EDDC’s refusal to allow ‘sprawling development in the countryside’, in refusing of the latest planning application for houses on the Seaton-Colyford Green Wedge, has been reinforced by an Inspector’s rejection of an appeal by a developer wanting to build on the western edge of Seaton.

In dismissing the appeal, over plans to build 3 houses in the garden of Pembroke House, Beer Road, the Inspector says:

‘The effect of the proposal would also be to consolidate built development along Beer Road and extend the sporadic line of dwellings into the countryside. The proposal would harmfully erode the positive contribution it currently makes to greening the settlement edge. Therefore … the development would result in harmful encroachment of urban sprawl from the settlement into the open countryside.’

The appeal decision is also good news for residents concerned to protect the field adjacent to the site from development. The inspector notes:

‘a large paddock between this property and the appeal site reveals views to the coast and surrounding landscape. This paddock represents a definite visual break, marking the point where the character of the lane changes from urban into open countryside.’


Green Wedges reinforced by planning decisions in eastern and western Seaton | East Devon Watch
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