Council approves new homes near Barnstaple despite concerns

More than 200 new homes are to be built near Barnstaple.

North Devon Council has given developer Hallam Land permission for the development outside the usual boundary on 11 hectares of agricultural land north of Old Bideford Road, Fremington.

Councillors had some concerns about the impact on infrastructure and doctors’ surgeries.

But the council’s planning committee approved the application this week after being told that the council doesn’t have enough sites for housing to meet the government’s housebuilding targets.

North Devon and Torridge must build 1,330 homes a year, which has increased from 861.

This scheme will provide 220 properties.

Planning officers said the site is a short distance from the development boundary, would have a small shop, and would meet a housing need in the area, with 66 affordable homes included.

The developers have also proposed work to improve connectivity with Roundswell Business Park, Tews Lane Playing Fields, and Roundswell Primary School and offered to put more than £1.5 million into community facilities, including for education, healthcare, sport, and recreation.

The cash will also pay to reintroduce a half-hourly 19 bus service on Saturdays.

Cllr Helen Walker (Lib Dem, Bickington) said that the area is “at saturation point” for new housing without major infrastructure investment.

“Our health provision is full, our road network is at breaking point, and our sewage system is elderly,” she said.

Cllr Frank Biederman (Lib Dem), who represents the Fremington ward, shared those concerns and said the council should "build communities, not just houses.”

After the planning meeting, he said the developers had offered traffic management improvements to slow down vehicles and make it easier for pedestrians and cyclists.

A site visit will take place to look at the location for a pedestrian crossing.

He said if the committee didn’t approve the application, he expected the developers to appeal, with taxpayers footing the costs.

“The government has set these targets for homes, which to my mind are just not sustainable. We don’t have the infrastructure to cope, really.

“Without a five-year land supply, there was little choice for the planning committee but to approve this application.”

Fourteen people submitted comments opposing the plans.