Major developer lined up as plans for up to 260 homes approved in East Devon town

A national housing developer has been lined up to take on a site for up to 260 homes in an East Devon town now the scheme has been given initial approval. Planners waved through outline planning application at an area called Farlands off London Road, Cranbrook.

A national housing developer has been lined up to take on a site for up to 260 homes in an East Devon town now the scheme has been given initial approval.
Planners waved through outline planning application at an area called Farlands off London Road, Cranbrook.
Alex Bullock, head of planning at Land Value Alliances, who was speaking on behalf of the applicant, said terms had been agreed with a “national housebuilder with a strong regional presence” and that this firm was “keen to move in a prompt manner”.
The housebuilder will need to devise a development plan, which will include details such as the number of homes and their design, which will form part of a full planning application.
Although the scheme was unanimously passed by East Devon District Council’s planning committee this week, some concerns were raised about the access to the site.
Cllr Kim Bloxham (Independent, Cranbrook) said she and her two fellow Cranbrook councillors had been “consistent” in their concerns about the number of uncontrolled junctions being added along London Road.
“Uncontrolled junctions lead to congestion, especially at peak times, and driver frustration, meaning the potential for risk-taking and collisions,” she said.
Cllr Bloxham acknowledged the development would have other ways into it, but that the principal route would be off London Road.
And given other nearby developments, including 150 homes, a sports centre, gypsy and traveller site, and the more than 1,400 homes on and area known as Cobdens, concerns were rising about traffic on London Road.
“We see a good example of the chaotic conditions that occur during peak periods at the junction of Station Road (to Broadclyst) and London Road,” she said.
“Naturally, the volume of traffic will increase as the Cranbrook expansion zones are built out, adding to the difficulty.”
Planning officers said Cobdens will have traffic lights to ensure safe access to that large site, while other schemes – including Farlands – would provide traffic calming measures to help slow motorists on London Road as they approach junctions for housing developments.
Other concerns were raised about the impact on the environment of the scheme, but the applicant said it would be able to protect the required amount of animal habitats on-site, and would use off-site land to help it hit other biodiversity requirements.
Furthermore, the meeting heard South West Water had suggested some conditions in relation to the proposal, notably that no homes were occupied until it had completed water improvement works in the area.
It also wants thedeveloper to provide it with a sewerage management plan so that the water firm can be confident sewage infrastructure can cope with  extra demand of the new homes.