Dozens of new homes planned near quaint village

A bid to build up to 140 homes on the edge of a small Devon village has been submitted as a flurry of development hits the area.

Exeter-based developer Waddeton Park has put the outline proposals in for land south of London Road and near to the small village of Rockbeare.

The site is, however, just opposite the expanding town of Cranbrook, and is also sited relatively close to other parcels of land that have secured planning permission.

The land is considered agricultural land at present, but with the scale of development in the surrounding area, that may be viewed as acceptable by East Devon District Council’s planning committee, which will have to decide on the scheme.

Even if this plan is approved, because it is an outline application, a further application would be needed to confirm the exact number of homes, as well as details such as their design and placement on the site.

A spokesperson for Waddeton Park, confirmed the proposals, stating that the homes and an area of green space aimed at mitigating the pressure of new developments had been shaped by “several rounds of formal pre-application engagement” with senior officers at East Devon District Council (EDDC) and that the advice received was “positive”. 

“This is a high-quality development that would deliver much needed new homes, including affordable housing, generous amounts of public open space and pedestrian connectivity benefits,” the spokesperson said.

“A detailed green wedge assessment has been undertaken, which concludes that there would be no harm to the function or purpose of the green wedge [open land that separates two conurbations] between Cranbrook and Rockbeare.

“EDDC has a significant housing land supply shortfall and the presumption in favour of sustainable development applies, which means that well-thought out schemes in sensible locations should be approved.”

Documents from the developer state that the location is “a suitable location” given the development in the area.

“The proposal for up to 140 dwellings responds to identified housing needs and represents an efficient and sustainable use of the site,” a planning document noted.