Planning appeal decision
Woodentop, Littledown Lane, Newton Poppleford, Devon, EX10 0BG
Planning appeal 3352912 at Woodentop, Littledown Lane, Newton Poppleford, Devon, EX10 0BG (East Devon District Council) was allowed in part (a split decision) on 2 May 2025 by Inspector Hills J, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: the effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the area, including Grade 1 agricultural land.
described in the application as “alteration to design of agricultural building approved under ref. 17/1130/COU (retrospective), change of use of part of the land holding for amenity use including retention of a timber amenity hut”
- Authority
- East Devon District Council
- Appeal type
- minor · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- agricultural · Change of use
- Inspector
- Hills J
- Postcode
- EX10 0BG
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- the effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the area, including Grade 1 agricultural land
- whether the site is in a suitable location for the proposal having regard to local policies that seek to limit development in the countryside
What decided it
The hut's overtly domestic hexagonal design and the proposed amenity use of Grade 1 agricultural land lack justification under the development plan and would harmfully urbanise a protected National Landscape, whereas the agricultural barn itself is justified by genuine agricultural need and acceptable design.
What the Inspector cited
- Development plan policies
- Policy EN13Policy D7Policy EP6Policy D1Strategy 7Strategy 46Policy TC2
- National Planning Policy Framework
- Paragraph 182Paragraph 115Paragraph 117
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
Town Planner Pro holds this letter. The Appeals plan opens it and every other letter we hold, all of them searchable, with the main issues and what decided each case picked out. We do not show letters on the free site because they carry people’s names and addresses.
With an account
What an account adds to this decision


More decisions in East Devon
The authority’s record since 2016 · every decision in 2025
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- Dismissed21 October 20266010705Stamps Building, King Street, Honiton, EX14 1AF
- Allowed19 October 202660076221 Jennings Gardens, Tithebarn, Exeter, EX1 4BL
- Dismissed7 October 20266013380Land Sout of Courtlands Lane, Exmouth, EX8 3NZ
- Dismissed7 October 20266003095Land at Newlands Farm, Land North West of B3165, Axminster, EX13 5SF
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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