Planning appeal decision
Land off Eastacombe Rise, Heanton Punchardon, Devon, EX31 4DQ
Planning appeal 3301506 at Land off Eastacombe Rise, Heanton Punchardon, Devon, EX31 4DQ (North Devon District Council) was dismissed on 11 January 2023 by Inspector Evans J, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: whether the location of the site is suitable for open market residential development.
2 no. open market dwellings alongside nature reserve
- Authority
- North Devon District Council
- Appeal type
- minor · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- residential · Minor Dwellings
- Inspector
- Evans J
- Postcode
- EX31 4DQ
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- whether the location of the site is suitable for open market residential development
What decided it
The significant environmental harm arising from the development's location necessitating increased private car use substantially and demonstrably outweighs the limited economic and social benefits, such that the presumption in favour of sustainable development does not apply.
The modest social and economic benefits of providing two homes and small construction-phase benefits were substantially outweighed by the significant environmental harm from increased private car use, which carries substantial weight when assessed against the Framework as a whole.
What the Inspector cited
- Development plan policies
- Policy ST07Policy DM24
- 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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With an account
What an account adds to this decision


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The authority’s record since 2016 · every decision in 2023
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- Dismissed3 August 20266010545Land South of Four Crossway, Bratton Fleming, Barnstaple, EX32 7JL
- Dismissed24 June 20266005672Land off Bottoms Lane, Darracott, EX33 1JY
- Allowed18 June 20266006157Horseshoe Lodge, Burrington, Umberleigh, EX37 9LH
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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