Inquiry to look at homes plan

A public inquiry is to be held into plans for new homes between Exmouth and Lympstone, after an appeal was launched by a developer.

The plan for 33 homes to be built at Courtlands Cross was rejected by East Devon District Council last year, following strong objection from Lympstone residents.

Now, developer Strategic Land Partnerships has appealed the decision to the Planning Inspectorate, and an inquiry will be held on October 7 and 8.

The site has a long history of planning disputes, with plans for 154 homes there being rejected in 2010 and 2011 – the last decision upheld by a planning inspector in 2012.

Lympstone residents fear that building on the site would erode the ‘green wedge’ between their village and Exmouth.

Lympstone Parish Council, which has previously opposed the plans, this week agreed to make representations to the enquiry.

After the parish council meeting, Mark Robertson, for the Courtlands Lympstone Action Group, said: “We agree with the inspector’s report in 2012 – that ‘this site is unsuitable for housing’. Strategic Land Partnerships has already lost a very similar appeal at Feniton; with the full involvement of the parish council, we believe that they will be defeated here as well.

“We support the parish council’s Neighbourhood Plan, which provides for the gradual expansion of Lympstone, on development sites that are supported by the local community and do not erode the green wedge that protects our village identity which is so important to us, and many others.”

Mr Robertson added that anyone who wanted to find out more could meet the action group at its ‘under the bridge’ session outside Londis on Saturday, July 12.