Planning appeal decision
Martinhoe Manor, Woody Bay, Parracombe, Barnstaple, Devon, EX31 4QZ
Planning appeal 3294703 at Martinhoe Manor, Woody Bay, Parracombe, Barnstaple, Devon, EX31 4QZ (Exmoor) was allowed on 29 September 2022 by Inspector Nicholls H, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: the effect of the proposal on the supply of smaller dwellings within the local housing stock.
change of use of main building to single dwellinghouse
- Authority
- Exmoor
- Appeal type
- minor · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- residential · Minor Dwellings
- Inspector
- Nicholls H
- Postcode
- EX31 4QX
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- the effect of the proposal on the supply of smaller dwellings within the local housing stock
What decided it
The development plan is silent on amalgamations and contains no specific policy in direct conflict with the proposal, triggering the presumption in favour of sustainable development under NPPF paragraph 11(d), with no significant adverse impacts demonstrably outweighing the benefits.
The limited benefit of reduced vehicle intensity and sustainable travel patterns from a single dwelling use outweighed the harm to housing stock diversity, particularly given the negligible realistic benefit of maintaining seven apartments in this premium location and the absence of any demonstrable adverse impacts under the Framework.
What the Inspector cited
- Development plan policies
- Policy GP1Policy HC-S1Policy HC-S2Policy HC-S4
- National Planning Policy Framework
- Paragraph 11
How the Inspector dealt with each one is set out in the app, in order: the development plan, national policy, housing land supply, other considerations and the planning balance, beside the letter.
See how each was appliedThe decision letter
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What an account adds to this decision


More decisions in Exmoor
The authority’s record since 2016 · every decision in 2022
- Quashed On Legal Grounds25 June 20263357392Orchard View, Rodhuish, Minehead, TA24 6QZ
- Invalid26 May 20263353696Caravel, 14 Lynmouth Street, Lynmouth, Devon, EX35 6EH
- Dismissed23 February 20266002219Triscombe Farm, Wheddon Cross, Minehead, Somerset, TA24 7HA
- Allowed9 January 20266000477Valley View, Church Lane, Parracombe, Devon, EX31 4RJ
- Dismissed7 January 20263350731Middle Burrow, Burrow, Timberscombe, Minehead, TA24 7UD
The main issues, what decided it, the planning balance and the policies and judgments listed as cited are read from the published letter by Town Planner Pro and are our summary, not the Inspector’s words; the letter itself is the record. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Research, not advice.
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