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Dismissed26 August 20253362449

Land At Grid Reference 244709 127666 , Raleigh Hill, Northam, Bideford , Devon, EX39 3NX

Planning appeal 3362449 at Land At Grid Reference 244709 127666 , Raleigh Hill, Northam, Bideford , Devon, EX39 3NX (Torridge District Council) was dismissed on 26 August 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 trees.

Proposed dwelling (outline permission with all matters reserved)

Authority
Torridge District Council
Appeal type
minor · Planning Appeal
Procedure
Written Representations
Development
residential · Minor Dwellings
Inspector
Hills J
Postcode
EX39 3NX

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

  • the effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the area, including trees
  • biodiversity
  • whether the site can be adequately drained
  • the effect of the proposal on highway safety

What decided it

The likely wholesale removal of the tree-lined frontage and hedgebank would irrevocably erode locally distinctive features and qualities, combined with unresolved biodiversity concerns due to the absence of an ecological survey, which together outweighed the modest housing benefits.

the social benefits of housing delivery and limited economic benefits were outweighed by the harm to character and appearance of the area and biodiversity

What the Inspector cited

Development plan policies
Policy ST04Policy DM04Policy DM08APolicy NOR09Policy ST14Policy DM08Policy ST03Policy DM05Policy DM01
National Planning Policy Framework
Paragraph 193Paragraph 115Paragraph 116

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 applied

The decision letter

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More decisions in Torridge

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

  1. Allowed16 September 20266009632
    Land At Grid Reference 235658 108325, Holsworthy Beacon, Holsworthy, EX22 7NE
  2. Dismissed1 September 20266010166
    Nectar Haze, Bounds Cross, Pyworthy, EX22 6LH
  3. Dismissed12 August 20266009975
    Land Adjacent Allwyn, Staddon Road, Holsworthy, EX22 6NH
  4. Allowed6 July 20266006878
    Land At Pitt Bungalow, Pitt Lane, Appledore, EX39 1QB
  5. Dismissed18 May 20266004820
    Land At Grid Reference 243890 125702, High Park Close, Bideford, Devon, EX39 3HJ

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.

In the app this decision sits on the map beside every appeal around it, with its letter to read and the main issues, policies and judgments cited picked out.