Controversial plan for homes in North Devon village is refused

Plans for nine new homes at Westleigh have been turned down by North Devon Council.

The scheme from Christie Devon Estates for the two to four bed houses on land next to Westleigh Village Hall had raised strenuous objection from residents.

They felt it would ‘swamp’ the small settlement, cause traffic issues, impact on a Grade II listed cottage and cause harm to the environment with the destruction of an ancient hedgerow.

The development, which would have included three ‘affordable’ homes, would ‘meet local housing need’ according to application documents.

READ MORE: Residents issue rally cry to prevent nine new homes in North Devon settlement

But North Devon Council planning officers disagreed with this and rejected the application, saying it was in an unsuitable location, the scale of the development was inappropriate for the site and too large, plus it would cause harm to the character and appearance of the area.

Above: Westleigh residents celebrate outside the Village Hall after plans for nine new homes in the field next door were refused. 

There was also concern the development would cause harm to the nearby Rock Cottage, a listed building.

Many residents had vehemently objected to the plans, setting up a campaign group called Hands Off Westleigh Fields. The conservation charity Devon CPRE had also campaigned against the proposals.

Campaigners said the addition of up to 37 new residents would increase the quoted population of 100 in the village by almost 40%. The parish of Westleigh itself contains 322 people according to the 2021 census and 144 households as of 2022.

Above: Residents had objected to the loss of this ancient hedgerow as well as the impact the scheme would have had on the listed Rock Cottage. Credit: Sara Cheesman

At a busy meeting in the Village Hall in July, people asked why the development was needed when there were houses for sale in the village itself and plenty within a mile radius.

There were also fears the World War One era hall would be under threat too, with its view lost and a drop in bookings forcing it to close.

Speaking in August, hall committee member Sara Cheesman said: “It will inevitably lead to the closure of an important part of our village. I think it’s outrageous the developers have barely mentioned the hall and the impact the new houses will have to its survival.”

Nicki Bennington, who owns Rock Cottage, said at the time: “It is all very upsetting to think they might allow this to happen. The roads are too small, it will ruin the view of the cottage.

“The thought of destroying the ancient hedgerow is appalling as it will destroy our protected view as well as change the historic layout of the conservation area.”

Calvin C, a retired teacher, said he was concerned about the narrow village road and the impact of extra traffic: “It can only take one vehicle as it is, there is always congestion and regularly vehicles waiting to let others pass, I don’t know how the consultants missed this.

“It is a serious accident waiting to happen, if the construction vehicles are given permission to pass through Westleigh lanes.

READ MORE: Residents join conservation charity to fight new homes in North Devon village

Penny Mills, director of Devon CPRE, welcomed the council’s decision and said it was a ‘victory for local democracy’.

Ms Mills said: “We're delighted North Devon Council has seen sense and listened to the views of local people and other consultees, like ourselves.

“It may only be nine houses, however, for a small village like Westleigh it would have had an enormous impact on the historic character of the conservation area. In their decision notice, NDC stated it's an unsuitable location for new, open-market residential development. We completely agree”

The council’s decision notice concluded there was ‘significant harm identified’ in the proposals and said: ‘These harms significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits assessed against the policies of the Local Plan and NPPF taken as a whole.

‘The proposal conflicts with the development plan and material considerations do not indicate that the appeal should be decided otherwise’.

Christie Devon Estates told the Gazette: "The landowners are liaising with the local planning authority and are reviewing options as to next steps."