Homes plans for several Torridge villages

Council could increase five year land supply

Plans have been outlined for small developments of up to seven homes in three Torridge villages.

Planning agents Fearnley Lott Architects are seeking to establish the principle of development on sites at Littleham, Frithelstock and Stibb Cross.

Littleham and Frithelstock both have less than 500 residents and Stibb Cross is a little larger.

In Littleham the land being put forward is to the North of Church Lane which is a redundant paddock and in Frithelstock, an agricultural field near existing homes at Hele Lane.

In Stibb Cross, three people have written to Torridge District Council opposing the plans for land at Chapel Close on traffic, overlooking and environmental grounds.

One said that with more traffic using the entry and exit road from Chapel Close it would increase problems for motorists.

Accessing the main road from Chapel Close was difficult due to the speed and continual volume of heavy vehicle traffic including tractors and trailers and other large agricultural vehicles “rarely observing 30 mph limit”, they said.

With regards to the Littleham plans, Fearnley Lott Architects say that existing facilities in the village such as the local pub (The Crealock Arms), Littleham Methodist Church and Village Hall would benefit from additional residents contributing to the local economy.

They said: “Littleham does not have an established development boundary however the site is well related to a number of existing dwellings. 

“These dwellings are located to the North and West of the proposed site. Due to this the proposed development will have a reduced impact on its surroundings.”

In Frithelstock the site proposed lies opposite a recent development of three properties and relates well to the surrounding settlement, documents to the council say.

“As such, the application site represents a logical extension and infill on the edge of the settlement. The proposed development will not extend into undeveloped land that contributes meaningfully to the landscape setting.”

In a separate application up to five homes are being proposed at Mill Road in Bradworthy on land  outside the development boundary.

Torridge planners will be asked to consider whether the site is sustainable given its close proximity to the village itself which has a number of facilities including a school, places of worship, shops and a public house with regular bus transport.

Without a current five year land supply the council has to look at areas which are not in the existing local plan so enough homes can be built for the future in line with fresh government targets.