Combehead Farm, Bridford, Exeter, Devon, EX6 7LQ

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• The effect of the development on the character and appearance of the area, having particular regard to the location of the site within Dartmoor National Park
• Whether the agricultural enterprise justifies the proposed temporary dwelling, having regard to local and national policies which seek to avoid isolated new homes in the countryside
• Whether the proposal could provide suitable foul and surface water drainage systems so as to minimise the risk of flooding or pollution of watercourses
• The effect of the proposal on biodiversity

What decided it

The unacceptable harm to the character and appearance of the National Park, combined with a lack of evidence on adequate foul and surface water drainage, outweighed the justified need for the temporary dwelling and led to dismissal of all elements except the existing pond.

The landscape harm from the siting of the dwelling, track and agricultural building, together with unresolved drainage concerns, outweighed the demonstrated functional and financial justification for the temporary dwelling and the modest socio-economic benefits, tipping the balance against the scheme save for the already-installed pond.