Hartland homes plan returns with a reduced scheme

A new down-sized plan has been submitted for homes on the road to and from Hartland.

Jason Burdett of Magic Beans Development withdrew an application for 13 properties to the east of Harton Cross two years ago.

He now wants to instead build five homes - a mix of three and four bedroomed dwellings, with landscaping ‘to reflect a village feel’.

Although the location is outside the village’s development boundary, Torridge District Council does not currently have enough sites to meet its housing targets for the next five years and may have to consider proposals for other areas it thinks are sustainable.

The agent for applicant Massdeveloped stated in planning documents that the Hartland Gate scheme follows local design guides using traditional building materials such as slate, stone and render with sash windows in keeping with the area which is in the North Devon Coast national landscape (formerly the area of outstanding natural beauty).

“Tree clusters have been placed strategically to positively mitigate the impact of the site on the existing landscape and help restore the entrance to the village,” they said.

There will also be a large communal open space behind the built area which will be managed privately by the landowners.

Three meetings have been held with Hartland Parish Council since the site was purchased by developers in 2023, plus a public consultation before the scheme was scaled down.

Massdeveloped says the proposal closely follows pre-application advice from Torridge District Council, in which the planning officer expressed a desire to restore the gateway to the village and recommended a five-to-six unit scheme as more acceptable to the local planning authority.

The developer says it can deliver these homes immediately to help address the council’s lack of a five-year land supply.

Solar panels and air source heat-pumps would provide renewable energy for the homes.

The main point of access would be via the B3248 and a new road junction.

Torridge District Council will decide on the application at a later date. People need to submit any representations on this application to the council’s planning department by Saturday, May 10.