Dartmoor planners block 36-home Chagford scheme in affordable housing clash

A proposal to build 36 homes in one of the most desirable and expensive places to live on Dartmoor has been thrown out by planners because they say it doesn’t meet local housing needs.

The scheme for land at Lamb Park, Chagford, was rejected by the development management committee of Dartmoor National Park Authority because it did not meet the requirement of at least 45 per cent of the homes being “affordable”.

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According to property website Rightmove, house prices in Chagford averaged £508,000 over the last year, with the majority of terraced properties selling for an average of £416,000 and detached homes at £672,000.

Committee members heard at a recent meeting that local people were facing difficulties finding properties and were being forced to move to other locations where homes were cheaper.

Applicants Mr and Mrs Booth and Gate House Living Ltd had offered 28 per cent social housing (ten homes), public open space, and £15,000 towards sports facilities in the parish, and planning officers had recommended that the committee approve it.

Officers said a viability assessment had been provided by the applicants outlining how the costs of delivering the site were prohibitive to providing the 45 per cent of affordable housing.

The authority sought its own independent viability assessment to review and provide confidence that “the highest level of affordable housing could be achieved”.

But members went against the officers’ recommendation after considering comments from 19 objectors and concerns from Chagford Parish Council.

Opponents raised issues about the lack of affordable homes, but also said the access was unsuitable, Lamb Park was already congested with cars, the sewage treatment works were at capacity, and bus services were poor.

Officers said that, with appropriate conditions, there were 22 in total, the proposed development would not lead to further parking and congestion issues.

The site was within the development plan, close to other housing and services, and people would be encouraged to walk, cycle, and use public transport.

West Devon Borough Council’s housing officer said the level of social housing in this proposal was “disappointing”, but that ten additional homes would help people with a local connection to find suitable and affordable accommodation.