The East Devon District Council's planning committee met on 23 September 2025, and adopted an appropriate assessment and approved plans for new homes in Cranbrook, despite some policy conflicts. The committee also approved a single-storey extension in Newton Poppleford, and fencing in Sidmouth.

Cranbrook Development

The committee addressed applications 22/2306/MRES and 22/2354/MFUL, which sought approval for reserved matters and full planning permission for the construction of 92 residential units on land to the north of Tillhouse Road in Cranbrook. The committee adopted the appropriate assessment and approved the applications, subject to a Section 106 agreement and an additional condition requiring a water conservation and efficiency strategy, including the use of water butts. They also agreed to the deletion of condition 11 for application 22/2306/MRES and condition 13 for application 22/2354/MFUL.

The committee noted that Councillor Olly Davey, Chair of the Planning Committee, had advised of lobbying in respect of this application.

These applications were for land within the Cranbrook Town Centre area, and the development was not fully in accordance with the adopted Local Plan and Cranbrook Plan, but officers considered that the need for housing and the benefits of unlocking the town centre for essential commercial, retail and community uses justified approval.

The committee also considered application 23/0554/MFUL for full planning permission for residential development at land off Court Royal and Badger Way, Cranbrook. The committee adopted the appropriate assessment and approved the application, subject to a Section 106 Agreement and an additional condition requiring a water conservation and efficiency strategy, including the use of water butts.

This application was also for land within the Cranbrook Town Centre area, and the development was not fully in accordance with the adopted Local Plan and Cranbrook Plan, but officers considered that the need for housing and the benefits of unlocking the town centre for essential commercial, retail and community uses justified approval.

The Cranbrook Plan Development Plan Document was adopted in October 2022 and includes policies for the town centre of Cranbrook and indicates where applications/changes to what is already permitted or existing may be positively encouraged and supported to assist delivery of a healthy and sustainable new town.

Thea Billeter, Cranbrook New Community Manager, Ben Chesters, Planning Officer, Amanda Coombes, Democratic Services Officer, Liam Fisher, Senior Planning Officer, Damian Hunter, Planning Solicitor, Wendy Ormsby, Development Manager, and Emerald McGuire-Febey, Assistant Planning Officer were the officers in attendance for these items.

Newton Poppleford Extension

The committee approved application 25/0081/FUL for a single-storey side extension, off-street parking space and external ramps for disabled adaptation at 1 School Lane, Newton Poppleford, in accordance with the officer recommendation.

Sidmouth Fencing

The committee approved application 25/0810/FUL for the retention of fencing and proposed erection of a picket fence at Church Cottage, Church Lane, Sidmouth, in accordance with the officer recommendation. The applicant, Councillor Mike Goodman, was named in the minutes.

Other Business

The committee noted the planning appeal statistics report.

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 19 August 2025, were confirmed as a true record.