®Planning appeal decision
Halls Farm, Metcombe, Ottery St. Mary, Devon, EX11 1SS
Planning appeal 3361026 at Halls Farm, Metcombe, Ottery St. Mary, Devon, EX11 1SS (East Devon District Council) was dismissed on 13 August 2025 by Inspector Kent R, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: Whether the proposal is a suitable location for two dwellings having regard to development plan policies concerning the reuse of buildings in the countryside.
Conversion of an agricultural building to two dwellings and associated landscaping, and the demolition of agricultural buildings
- Authority
- East Devon District Council
- Appeal type
- major · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- residential · Minor Dwellings
- Inspector
- Kent R
- Postcode
- EX11 1SS
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- Whether the proposal is a suitable location for two dwellings having regard to development plan policies concerning the reuse of buildings in the countryside
- The effect of the development on the character and appearance of the site and its surroundings
- The effect of the proposal on the viability of an existing agricultural enterprise
- Whether there are adequate arrangements for the disposal of foul water drainage from the site
What decided it
The moderate benefits of housing delivery and economic contribution were significantly and demonstrably outweighed by the substantial harm caused by conflict with the Framework's requirements for visual attractiveness, sympathy to local character, safe and suitable access, and enhancement of the natural environment.
The moderate benefit of adding two dwellings to housing supply and moderate economic benefits were significantly and demonstrably outweighed by the substantial harm caused by conflict with the Framework's requirements for visual attractiveness, local character sensitivity, safe and suitable access, and natural environment enhancement.
What the Inspector cited
- Development plan policies
- EDLP Strategy 3EDLP Strategy 5BEDLP Strategy 7EDLP Strategy 46EDLP Policy D1EDLP Policy D8EDLP Policy TC2EDLP Policy EN14EDLP Policy EN19Ottery St Mary and West Hill Neighbourhood Plan 2017-2031 Policy NP1Ottery St Mary and West Hill Neighbourhood Plan 2017-2031 Policy NP2
- National Planning Policy Framework
- Paragraph 232Paragraph 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
More decisions in East Devon
The authority’s record since 2016 · every decision in 2025
- Allowed19 October 202660076221 Jennings Gardens, Tithebarn, Exeter, EX1 4BL
- Dismissed7 October 20266003095Land at Newlands Farm, Land North West of B3165, Axminster, EX13 5SF
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- Allowed10 July 20266005764Land North East of Parkfield Cottages, Pink House Corner, Lympstone, EX8 5AH
- Allowed10 July 2026600469610 Marine Parade, Budleigh Salterton, EX9 6NS
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.