More homes could be on the way in Tiverton

Councillors will vote next week

A detailed planning application for 164 homes on the outskirts of Tiverton as part of the town’s expansion will be voted on again by councillors next week.

Outline permission was granted in 2017 for the development near Blundell’s Road, which forms the first part of the major urban extension to the east of the town.

But in July this year, members of Mid Devon District Council planning committee voted to defer the next step ‘reserved matters’ application (for specifics such as appearance, landscaping, layout and scale) after concerns were raised – allowing time for further negotiations with developer Redrow Homes and planners.

A number of changes have now been made to the scheme, which will come before the committee again on Wednesday [3 November] and is recommended to be approved by planning officers, subject to conditions.

The changes include a slight reduction in properties from 166 to 164, an extra play area on the northern side, more electric vehicle charging points and enhanced ‘buffers’ between the development and existing properties.

Alterations have also been made to the height of the developments to greater protect views to and from the Blundell’s conservation area. Two bungalows have been introduced, while an apartment block is being reduced from 2.5 storeys to two.

The site, on West Manley Lane and land on the opposite side of Blundell’s Road, had previously been the subject of a wider outline application approved as part of construction of a mixed-use development. This includes 700 homes, 22,000 square metres of employment land, a care home, primary school and neighbourhood centre with associated access onto Blundell’s Road.

Approval was also given in the summer for a ‘spine road’ providing access to the proposed development, along with potential future housing sites further south. Plans are also in place further down the line to build a roundabout on Blundell’s Road in place of what would be a crossroads.

The changes to the proposed development come after councillors expressed concern at the planning meeting in July. Councillor Barry Warren (Independent, Lower Culm) referred to one row of properties as having “no character” and not respecting “the houses that are already there.”

Also speaking at the meeting, Councillor Les Cruwys (Lib Dem, Cranmore) said: “We need a rethink on many elements of this application, starting with what was in the approved plan from 2017.

“The developers appear to have been controlling the planners and I ask the planning committee to take back control. The people of Tiverton will have to live with it for a long time after the developers have packed up and moved on.”

Since then, a ‘stakeholder workshop’ has also been held for the developer to further consult on the scheme.

In an email to the committee ahead of next week’s meeting, Redrow said: “We listened to comments made at both meetings and carefully reviewed the proposed development to address as many of the comments made as possible.”

The planning committee will vote on the application on Wednesday.