Planning officers back Lympstone homes

Controversial plans to build 15 new homes in Lympstone have been supported by district planning officers.

The plan to build the homes, 10 of which would be classed as affordable, on land to the west of Strawberry Hill behind Glebelands, will be considered by East Devon district councillors at a development management committee meeting next week.

These councillors will make the final decision on the plan; however, in advance of the meeting, planning officers have produced a report saying it should go ahead.

The plan has drawn numerous complaints from residents, who say that it would cause traffic and parking problems, a loss of privacy, and increased risk of accidents from an access road. They also say the site is too far from the village centre for residents to use local amenities.

The plan has also been formally opposed by Lympstone Parish Council, which says the plan should not be considered until the village’s local plan consultation is complete.

However, the officers’ report states: “Whilst the level of local objection to the development is acknowledged, it is considered that the overall merits of the scheme outweigh the arguments against it.”

Officers say the site is “well related” to the village’s development boundary – which it is outside – and less constrained than other potential housing sites. They also say the site would have ‘limited visual impact’, access would not be a problem, and living conditions for neighbours would not be affected.

The development management committee meets at the district council’s Knowle headquarters in Sidmouth, Tuesday at 2pm.