East Devon Council Rejects Protected Land Development in Budleigh Salterton

A village in East Devon will now not be compelled to accommodate additional residences, thereby ensuring that a protected land area remains undeveloped. The specific site, located south of Bedlands Lane and west of Dark Lane in Budleigh Salterton, had been proposed as an area suitable for building up to 50 homes. Although planning officers at East Devon District Council had indicated the site was not appropriate for housing, the strategic planning committee had previously included it in the draft local plan. This plan identifies locations where new homes and employment properties can be constructed over the next 18 years, assigning a maximum number of homes for each site. According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, for any of these homes to be built, a formal planning application would first need to be submitted by a developer and subsequently approved by the council’s planning committee. Ed Freeman, assistant director for planning strategy and development management, commented: “There was a discussion that the least sensitive parts of the site could be developed.” He mentioned that a potential developer had submitted an indicative proposal that would only utilize a section of the site, but officers held concerns. In a vote, six councillors cast their votes in favor of not allocating the site for potential development, with three voting against and two abstaining.