Plans for a 450-home estate in Newton Abbot have been approved, despite hundreds of objections and a legal threat from one of South Devon's biggest landowners. Councillors approved Persimmon Homes' controversial plans to redevelop 31 acres of land at Mile End, even though WBB Minerals revealed, at the eleventh hour, it may seek a judicial review (link below.)
http://www.thisisdevon.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=141507&command=displayContent&sourceNode=257390&home=yes&more_nodeId1=257393&contentPK=20497786The Newton Abbot outline application attracted up to 700 letters of objection and divided planners' opinion.
Teignbridge Council's development control committee met yesterday to consider the matter.
Resident Kate Rendle spoke at the meeting for objectors who complained it would cause congestion, noise, air pollution and would impact on local amenities.
She appealed to the committee:
"Please listen to your community and not profit-making developers. It would be a split development across the town's busiest road. This estate will be a dormitory estate with people working in either Plymouth or Exeter."
Peter Stacey, of Bristol-based planning consultants Turley Associates, spoke for Persimmon Homes, saying ongoing negotiations had overcome issues which led to an earlier, similar plan being thrown out. The previous application is the subject of a planning inquiry fixed for a date in June.
He said the revised application of one, two and three-storey buildings of all types, with 40 per cent allocated as affordable homes, was 'acceptable and achievable' in a manner which could not be contested at appeal.
The plan also contains open space, play areas, landscaping and ponds. Under a Section 106 Agreement Persimmon Homes will contribute up to ^3million towards infrastructure.
They include a bus route subsidy, cycling and pedestrian paths, off-site community facilities, education and open space facilities including a multi-use games area, upgrading Bakers Park and indoor sports provisions.
In a bizarre twist, the chamber heard mineral giant WBB Minerals, which owns vast swathes of land at Kingsteignton, could mount a legal challenge.
The outline application will go to the Government Office South West which has 21 days to decide whether it should be called in for further consideration. If not called in, conditional planning permission will be granted.
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