Torbay Council’s inability to demonstrate the minimum five-year supply of housing since 2016 has meant that a development of 77 homes has been approved in the South Devon National Landscape. 

The outline application was made by Peloton Land Limited, on land at Copythorne Road on the outskirts of Brixham, but was refused by the council.

Planning inspector H Nicholls judged that the 6.35-hectare greenfield site was in an inappropriate location beyond Brixham’s development boundaries and without an allocation for development.

Furthermore, Nicholls held that the scheme would have an “urbanising influence on the landscape character of the area”. There would be “highly adverse, albeit localised landscape and visual effects” on the national landscape.

The inspector determined that the proposal represented ‘major development’ in a national landscape, and so exceptional circumstances would be required to justify its presence.

Nicholls was satisfied that the development would not prejudice the area’s plan-making process. The inspector said that 77 new homes would not be significant enough to undermine a plan requiring 1,128 new homes per annum.

The council consistently failed to demonstrate the minimum five-year supply of housing since 2016, while there is also an “ongoing and acute need for affordable housing” in the area. The development would provide 35 per cent affordable housing.

“The market and affordable homes to be provided as part of the appeal proposal are very clearly needed”, concluded Nicholls, who judged that this need provided the ‘exceptional circumstances’ required. The appeal was allowed. 
 

The inspector’s decision – case reference 3354507 – can be read here.