Thorn Farm, Lewdown, Okehampton, Devon, EX20 4PS

Planning appeal 3350114 at Thorn Farm, Lewdown, Okehampton, Devon, EX20 4PS (West Devon Borough Council) was allowed on 24 February 2025 by Inspector Pope N, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: Whether the site is a suitable location for a new dwelling, having particular regard to national and local planning policies for housing within the countryside.

the conversion and extension of an existing barn into residential accommodation and demolition of a former agricultural building and lean -to

Authority: West Devon Borough Council
Appeal type: minor · Planning Appeal
Procedure: Written Representations
Development: residential · Minor Dwellings
Inspector: Pope N
Postcode: EX20 4PS

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

Whether the site is a suitable location for a new dwelling, having particular regard to national and local planning policies for housing within the countryside
The effect upon the character and appearance of the area and the host building

What decided it

The identification of the traditional stone barn as a non-designated heritage asset capable of protection and enhancement under policy TTV26.1(v), combined with the overall preservation of character through sympathetic conversion and removal of detracting elements, justified allowing the appeal despite the countryside location.

What the Inspector cited

Development plan policies: TTV26TTV26.1TTV26.1(iii)TTV26.1(v)TTV26.2(ii)TTV26.2(vi)DEV35DEV32
National Planning Policy Framework: Paragraph 57

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.

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The decision letter

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8 other decided appeals within two kilometres of this site. In the app every dot opens its decision, and its letter wherever one was published, and you can draw your own site to see what has been decided around it.AllowedDismissedSplitThis decision

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More decisions in West Devon

The authority’s record since 2016 · every decision in 2025

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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.