The Planning Committee of North Devon Council was scheduled to meet at Barnstaple Rugby Club on Wednesday, 4 December 2024. It was scheduled to consider applications for planning permission for a range of developments in the district, to discuss a report about planning appeals that had been decided since the previous meeting, and to hear a presentation about 'Class Q permissions'.¹

Planning Application 79124: Land at Local Roots Tree Nursery, Chittlehamholt

This application, submitted by Mr T May, sought planning permission to change the use of land at Local Roots Tree Nursery in Chittlehamholt to allow for the siting of a caravan for use as a gypsy and travellers accommodation.

The application had been 'called in' to committee by Councillor Steve Whitehead. In his call-in request, he asked the committee to:

consider the need for a traveller site in North Devon. To consider the location of this site, in particular to look at the proximity to neighbouring properties in accordance with Policy DM01 of the Local Plan, the highway access in accordance with DM05 of the Local Plan and the facilities of the village

The officer report recommended that planning permission be granted, concluding that:

the benefits of the development outweigh any harm.

Devon County Council's Gypsy & Traveller Liaison Officer confirmed that Mr May met the planning definition of a Gypsy, which is Persons of nomadic habit of life. They explained that there is an unmet need for traveller pitches in North Devon, and that:

Small private sites continue to be the best option for local planning and housing authorities in relation to accommodation for Gypsies and Travellers.

Planning Application 79032: Battery Box Bb01763, Bucknell Way, South Molton.

This application, submitted by AMP Clean Energy, sought planning permission to construct a micro energy storage facility at Pathfields Business Park in South Molton.

The officer report explains that the battery boxes:

connect into the low voltage (LV) network… where there is an increasing demand for electricity with the electrification of transport and heating systems. Stored electricity… will be exported and consumed in the locality… (when it is required).’

The report recommended that planning permission be granted. It noted that the site is owned by North Devon District Council and that the development would contribute positively towards the provision of a renewable source of energy, which it said must be supported in accordance with the National Planning Policy Framework and the North Devon and Torridge Local Plan.

Planning Application 79173: Land off Somerthing Lane, Croyde

This application, submitted by Simon Maddocks, a Councillor at North Devon Council, sought planning permission for the erection of a 'wildlife tower' on land off Somerthing Lane in Croyde.

The officer report explains that the wildlife tower is a funded project, endorsed by the Barn Owl Trust. The tower is intended to benefit biodiversity in the area, providing habitats for barn owls, kestrels, little owls, bats, nesting birds, and invertebrates.

The report recommended that planning permission be granted. It notes that the tower would be sited on low-lying agricultural land just south of Croyde, south of an existing hedgebank. Because the site would be screened by topography and planting, the report concluded that the wildlife tower would have minimal impact on the setting of the National Landscape.

Planning Appeals

The committee was scheduled to consider a report by Chloe Parker, Planning Support Officer, on planning appeals that had been decided since the previous meeting.

The report included two appendices that describe decisions made by the Planning Inspectorate.

Appendix A: Appeal Ref: APP/X1118/W/24/3343651 - Higher Mullacott, Ilfracombe, Devon, EX34 8NA

The Planning Inspectorate allowed an appeal against the refusal of planning permission for the erection of a holiday let unit, access improvements, and resurfacing to create additional parking at Higher Mullacott Farm Cottages. It also refused an application by the appellant for costs.

Appendix B: Appeal Ref: APP/X1118/W/24/3341331 - Wedgehill, Ash Road, Braunton, Devon, EX33 2EF

The Planning Inspectorate dismissed an appeal against the refusal of planning permission for the erection of a single dwelling at Wedgehill on Ash Road in Braunton.