Residents in the rural South Hams village of East Allington turned out in force this week (Thursday, 11 June) for a public meeting to discuss how to stop a property developer despoiling an open field on the edge of the village with an unwanted, oversized housing estate. Devon CPRE, supports their view that the proposed development will damage the distinct and irreplaceable character of the historic settlement that nestles within lush rolling countryside and is celebrated for its rich agricultural heritage and 13th-century church.
South Hams District Council has, however, already granted outline planning permission for residential development on farmland south of Dartmouth Road, adjacent to the village recreation ground. Baker Estates has now submitted a Reserved Matters application (application reference number 1350/26/ARM) for a fairly dense layout of 40 new houses, ten more homes than in the original outline plans and with a ‘green buffer’ around the development reduced from 20 metres to less than 2 metres.
Members of the recently formed East Allington Residents Action Group (EARAG) are up in arms about the latest proposals and organised the meeting in the village hall to warn the local community that the village’s identity and everyday life are under threat if South Hams District Council approves the current plans. Time is of the essence because the deadline for comments and objections is Thursday, 25th June.
Devon CPRE has already submitted its objection on South Ham’s planning portal, highlighting heritage and landscape concerns, including the impact on the setting and views of the Grade II*-listed church, significant changes to the character of a public right of way footpath that runs around the field, and the overall design and density of the development. Devon CPRE’s objection concludes that the Reserved Matters application should be refused, amongst other reasons, because it would replace ‘an open rural field contributing to the church’s wider landscape setting with a more conventional suburban edge’.
Members of the Action Group took it in turns to address the meeting, covering a comprehensive list of “reasonable questions that deserve to be answered”. Their concerns include the impact of the proposed site entrance and the heightened risk to children using the recreation area; drainage, sewage and surface water issues for existing and future residents; infrastructure and environmental issues; the lack of provision for any new services including a village shop; the unnecessary loss of established hawthorn and ash trees along the site boundaries and the overall impact on the health and wellbeing of residents.
Andy Murray told the meeting, “I’d like to make it absolutely clear that our group is not opposed to development simply for the sake of opposing the development. We recognise that housing is needed, we recognise that communities evolve, and we recognise that East Allington, like many villages across the country, will continue to grow over time. Our role is not to determine whether the development should happen. Our role is to ensure that if it does happen, it is supported by adequate infrastructure to be sustainable for the long term and it does not leave existing or future residents dealing with problems for years down the line.”
Annette Zaffiro spoke about social issues: “I feel we are standing at a crossroads. The Reserved Matters application by Baker Estates is not just a debate about bricks and mortar. It is a fundamental question about the social fabric, survival and the future of our community. As it stands, this proposal ignores the reality of life in East Allington. The Joint Local Plan explicitly demands sustainable development. Yet, our village currently has no local shop, no meaningful public transport links and no local employment hub. If the development goes ahead in its current form, it will create severe social issues in our community… By building a housing estate without any supporting infrastructure, Baker Estates is creating an isolated pocket of houses; this is not community building. It is a car-dependent sprawl. Surely, we need better for our community. ”
Sarah-Jane Glanville, who edits The East Allington Village Voice magazine, added, “Baker Estates’ current plan misses the heart of what makes our village special… Writing a cheque does nothing to protect our local environment. We need a living, breathing community allotment where new and existing residents can grow food, connect and thrive together. Traditional community allotments serve as vibrant, ecological stepping stones, creating rich microhabitats of pollinators to keep the Devon landscape alive.”
She added, “Our village has already stepped up and done its bit. We have fulfilled and surpassed our local housing obligations. Look around our village today. We have multiple homes, sitting on the market right now, unsold for months on end. There is absolutely no proof of unmet local demand.”
Concluding the meeting, Phil Forgham urged everyone to make their voice heard and submit their individual comments to South Hams District Council before 25 June.
Devon CPRE Director Penny Mills commented, “CPRE is celebrating its centenary this year. For 100 years our charity has steadfastly fought inappropriate development in our countryside. Here in Devon, we have so many precious landscapes and productive farmland that should be protected for future generations because there are plenty of other sites for new homes, including previously developed brownfield land. We support communities across the county with such applications and have recently helped residents in Westleigh in North Devon fight off plans for new homes on the edge of their village. We would urge people in South Devon to join us as members to support our fighting funds.”