The South Hams Development Management Committee met to discuss several planning applications, including proposals for housing, commercial development, and alterations to existing properties. The committee approved applications for a commercial development in Sparkwell, and a variation to car park management at the Tesco in Kingsbridge, but refused applications for a barn conversion in Dartmouth, and a house extension in Wembury, while also conditionally approving an outline planning application for an affordable dwelling in Brixton. The committee also reviewed updates on planning appeals and undetermined major applications.

Land at SX 615 563, Cadleigh: Outline Planning Application

The committee refused an outline planning application for five self-build plots at Land at SX 615 563, Cadleigh, citing concerns over pedestrian safety, reliance on private cars, and a failure to secure necessary financial contributions.

The planning officer's report noted that the application sought outline approval, with layout and access to be considered at this stage. Ermington Parish Council supported the application, but Devon County Council Highways objected to the proposal.

The Highways Authority raised concerns about the lack of safe pedestrian facilities on the C194 road, which serves the site. The report quoted the Manual for Streets, stating that shared surface roads are only safe where vehicle speeds are below 20mph and traffic volume is below 100 vehicles per hour, conditions not met on the C194. The Highway Authority also referenced the Royal National Institute of Blind People's policy position statement, which opposes shared use areas for pedestrians and vehicles.

The report stated that the proposed development did not align with policies SPT1, SPT2, and TTV1 of the Plymouth & South West Devon Joint Local Plan (JLP), which promote sustainable development and accessibility to local services via walking, cycling, and public transport. The report also stated that the development failed to provide appropriate mitigation towards the additional recreational pressures of the development on the Tamar European Marine Site, and failed to provide adequate mitigation towards the impact so the development on local open space, sport, and recreational facilities, contrary to policy DEL1 of the Plymouth & South West Devon Joint Local Plan 2014-2034.

3094/24/VAR Tesco, Cookworthy Road, Kingsbridge: Car Park Management Plan

The committee approved an application to vary a condition relating to the car park management plan at the Tesco store on Cookworthy Road, Kingsbridge. The proposal sought to reduce the maximum stay in the car park from two hours to 90 minutes.

The case officer summarised the key issues, noting that Tesco had provided documentation showing the car park was operating at over 70% capacity at peak times. The officer stated that the proposal would have no impact on available car parking in the vicinity and did not conflict with policies DEV29 and NP KWAC T3.

During the debate, some members argued that the existing condition had been in place for 20 years and should not be changed, as the overarching objective of the JLP was to encourage a sustainable economy and communities. Other members raised the point that Tesco was a commercial company providing free parking.

A motion to refuse the application, against officer recommendation, was lost. A subsequent motion to approve the application, as per the officer's recommendation, was won.

3633/24/OPA Land at SX 549 523, Paddock Drive, Brixton: Affordable Dwelling

The committee conditionally approved an outline planning application for a self-build affordable dwelling at Land at SX 549 523, Paddock Drive, Brixton. The approval was subject to the completion of a Section 106 agreement¹ to secure an open market discount and local connection in perpetuity, as well as financial mitigation towards the impacts on the Tamar European Marine Site².

The case officer summarised the key issues, including the provision of affordable housing, meeting the neighbourhood plan requirement for development in an Open Gap area, and securing a local connection. The officer noted that the proposal met several sustainability measures and raised no concerns regarding drainage, carbon, or landscape character.

During the debate, some members felt that the Open Gap should be protected, but that every affordable house was essential. Another member felt the proposal was inappropriate and doubted it would deliver an affordable house.

A motion was made to go against the officer's recommendation of approval, but was later withdrawn.

0583/25/FUL Higher Swannaton Farm, Swannaton Road, Dartmouth: Barn Conversion

The committee refused an application for the conversion of a stone barn to a dwelling at Higher Swannaton Farm, Swannaton Road, Dartmouth. The proposal included the demolition of an existing metal-framed storage barn and former dairy, the erection of a garage, a revised access and parking area, and the formation of a garden.

The case officer summarised the key issues, including the re-use of a redundant non-designated heritage asset, the unsustainable location of the site, and the design and heritage impact of the proposal. The officer noted that the proposal was acceptable in regard to neighbour amenity, highways, drainage, and ecology.

The Senior Heritage Officer reported that Policy TTV26 supports the reuse of traditional buildings that were structurally sound enough for renovation without significant enhancement or alteration. The officer stated that a withdrawn application from 2022 would have been supported because it respected the integrity of the barn.

During the debate, some members expressed discomfort with the proposal due to its conflict with several policies. They felt it was important to develop heritage assets in a sympathetic and positive way and to maintain a local connection.

3804/24/HHO 26 Mewstone Avenue, Wembury: First Storey Extension

The committee refused a householder application for a first-storey extension at 26 Mewstone Avenue, Wembury. The proposal involved a first-storey extension with a hipped gable roof and associated alterations.

The officer's report stated that the proposed side and dormer roof extension to the north elevation of the dwelling would, by virtue of their scale, design and prominent siting, appear as an incongruous and unsympathetic addition to the host property, detracting from the appearance of the dwelling and the contribution it makes to the street scene, contrary to DEV20 of the Plymouth and South West Joint Local Plan (2014-2034).

2316/24/FUL Land at SX 569 564, Holland Road, Plympton: Industrial Units

The committee conditionally approved an application for the development of 30,000 sq ft of flexible seed bed/starter units on Plot 1 of Langage Energy Park. The development included units for E (g) (ii), E (g) (iii), B2 (Industrial) & B8 (Warehousing & Distribution)³.

The case officer summarised the key issues, noting that the proposal supported plans for new employment floorspace at this strategic site, would be particularly beneficial to new start-up businesses, and delivered biodiversity net gain.

During the debate, members felt that the application was a useful addition to the overall site and supported the proposal.

3402/24/FUL Land at SX 7360, Kingsbridge: Paddleboarding Hub

The committee conditionally approved an application for the permanent retention of two containers to create a paddleboarding hub at Land at SX 7360, Kingsbridge. The containers are located in the Squares Quay Car Park.

The approval is conditional on the containers being painted/stained in Ronseal 'rhino grey', or similar, and that the site is only used in association with water based activities.

The officer's report stated that the legal duty afforded to National landscapes was strengthened by the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act (2023), which amended section 85 of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000, to establish a duty on relevant authorities to 'seek to further the purpose of conserving and enhancing the natural beauty of the area. The siting and retention of the containers raised concerns regarding the potential harm to character and appearance of the National Landscape.

Planning Appeals Update

The committee noted the Planning Appeals Update. The update included information on appeals for:

• 3 Elston Park, Millstone Cottage, Churchstow
• Fishley, Crooked Barn, Modbury
• The Old Coach House Westerland Marldon
• Land at SX 599537, Yealmpton
• 13 The Fairway Newton Ferrers
• Land At Sx 600 564, (Spurham Farm), Lee Mill
• 4 Alma Terrace Higher Town Malborough
• Kinnasea, 25 Eddystone Road, Thurlestone
• Wakeham Farmhouse Wakeham Farm South Milton
• Proposed Development Site At Sx731384 (adjacent to Fairhaven), Sandhills Road, Salcombe
• South Barton Farm, Veasy Park, Wembury

Update on Undetermined Major Applications

The committee noted the Update on Undetermined Major Applications. The update included information on applications for:

• Land off Godwell Lane, Ivybridge
• Land off Towerfield Drive, Woolwell
• Land at Woolwell
• Land Opposite Butts Park, Parsonage Road, Newton Ferrers
• Land at SX 5515 5220 adjacent to Venn Farm, Daisy Park, Brixton
• Proposed Development Site East, Dartington Lane, Dartington
• Proposed Development Site West, Dartington Lane, Dartington
• Dennings, Wallingford Road, Kingsbridge
• Land at Littlehempston Water Treatment Works, Hampstead Farm Lane, Littlehempston
• Ash Tree Farm, Ash
• Langage Energy Park Kingsway Plympton
• Land At Sx 490 624 Broadley Park Road Roborough
• Proposed Development At Sx 6481 5631 Ivybridge
• Land at SX 745 479 Torr Quarry Industrial Estate East Allington
• Land at SX 647 562, Ivybridge
• Land at Sx 571 564, Holland Road, Plympton
• 1 Alston Gate Malborough
• Avon Centre Wallingford Road Kingsbridge
• Land At Sx 763 639 Dartington
• Land At Sx 656 522 Barrack Road Modbury
• Development Site North of Church Hill at SX612502 Church Hill Holbeton
• Land North of Seymour Drive Sx 861 514 Dartmouth
• Proposed Development Site SX 856 508 (Land at Little Cotton Farm) Dartmouth
• Land at Elmwood Park, Loddiswell
• Hillhead Caravan Club Hillhead
• Development Site At Sx 783 624, Dartington
• Traceys Farm Longcombe
• Land At Sx 667 483 (Challonscombe Farm) Oldhouse Lane Kingston
• Land Off Townstal Road Sx 858 508 Townstal Road Dartmouth