The Teignbridge Council Planning Committee met to discuss several planning applications, a tree preservation order, and appeal decisions. A major focus of the meeting was on planning applications related to the Houghton Barton development.

Houghton Barton Development

The committee was scheduled to discuss three planning applications concerning land at Houghton Barton, Newton Abbot:

• 20/00585/MAJ - Houghton Barton Howton Lane: A hybrid planning application including outline proposals for up to 900 dwellings, retirement/extra care accommodation, employment uses, a primary school, a mixed-use local centre, community and leisure facilities, a section of the A382/A383 link road[^2], strategic and local open space, and detailed proposals for Phase 1 comprising 385 dwellings. [^2]: The A382/A383 link road is intended to connect the A382 and A383 roads, improving transport links in the area. The report pack noted that Natural England had agreed to the Habitat Regulations Assessment (HRA). The committee was to consider a recommendation to grant planning permission subject to a Section 106 agreement[^3] to secure financial contributions and the delivery of infrastructure. [^3]: Section 106 agreements are legal agreements between local authorities and developers, used to mitigate the impact of new developments on the community and infrastructure. The proposed financial contributions included:

  • £222,088 towards employment land shortfall, with a further £197,689 if the remaining 0.8 hectares cannot be secured on site.
  • £434,010 towards bus service subsidy.
  • £1,173,000 towards 15 gypsy and traveller pitches, plus an additional £117,300 towards resourcing costs.

  The proposed infrastructure delivery included:

  • Delivery of the A382/A383 Link Road.
  • Provision of land and delivery of works to enable the Environment Agency to expand the flood storage areas associated with the Holbeam Dam.
  • Delivery of a 1.9 hectare site for a 420 place primary school with potential for expansion.
  • 900 sqm of retail/commercial buildings to be delivered to Shell and Core[^4]. [^4]: Shell and core refers to a level of construction where the basic structure of a building is completed, but the interior is left for future tenants to customize.
  • Houghton Barton Common.
  • Play facilities.
  • Safe pedestrian links, walking and cycling routes.
  • Playing pitches.
  • 900sqm Health and Well Being Building, delivered to Shell and Core.
  • 23 full sized allotment pitches.
  • Sustainable transport provisions, to include bus shelters, car charging points and bike stands.
  • Connection up to Buttercup way link.
  • 0.25 hectare Neighbourhood square.
  • Outdoor MUGA[^5] and micro skatepark. [^5]: MUGA stands for Multi-Use Games Area, a type of outdoor sports facility.

  Other obligations included:

  • 20% Affordable Housing with a 50:50 tenure mix.
  • 5% custom/self-build plots.
  • Long term public open space management with option for this to be resident-led.

• 20/00586/MAJ - Land west of Houghton Barton: Outline planning application for up to 250 dwellings, including open space and site preparation. The committee was to consider a recommendation to grant planning permission subject to completion of a Section 106 agreement to secure financial contributions and other obligations. The proposed financial contributions included:

  • £62,312 towards employment land shortfall and a further £55,111 if the remaining 0.8 hectares cannot be secured on site.
  • £120,990 towards bus service subsidy.
  • £327,000 towards 15 gypsy and traveller pitches plus an additional £32,700 towards resourcing costs.

  Other obligations included:

  • 20% Affordable Housing.
  • 5% Custom Self Build.

• 20/00950/MAJ - Land at Houghton Barton Howton lane: Construction of a section of the A382/A383 link road, between A383 and Howton Road, including A383 junction upgrades and associated works. The committee was to consider a recommendation to grant planning permission subject to conditions.

Other Planning Applications

• 25/00035/FUL - Commercial Premises North Of Glen Cottage Rock Road, Chudleigh: An application for a commercial premises north of Glen Cottage for an extension to an existing industrial building. The application proposal would provide 155sqm of additional general industrial floorspace, resulting in a total floorspace of 470sqm. The applicant is a close relative of a member of staff. The committee was to consider a recommendation for approval, subject to conditions.

Tree Preservation Orders

• Trusham E2/22/04 Tinkley Koi Farm: The Planning Committee was to consider a recommendation to confirm The District of Teignbridge (Former Tinkley Quarry) Tree Preservation Order 2025 unmodified. The provisional tree preservation order (TPO) was served on 21 May 2025. The provisional protection will cease on 21 November 2025, if it is not confirmed. The provisional TPO was made following reports informing the council of the intention to fell trees, that trees were being damaged, and that the woodland was under immediate and visible threat.

Appeal Decisions

The committee was scheduled to note appeal decisions made by the Planning Inspectorate.

S73 Major Decisions Summary

The committee was scheduled to review a summary of major variation applications approved in the previous months.