Planning appeal decision
Land at 256389, 135782, Muddiford, Barnstaple, Devon, EX31 4ES
Planning appeal 3363203 at Land at 256389, 135782, Muddiford, Barnstaple, Devon, EX31 4ES (North Devon District Council) was dismissed on 18 July 2025 by Inspector Roberts G, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: whether the proposed development would be acceptable having regard to local and national planning policies on the location of new housing.
application for one local needs dwellin g and associated works
- Authority
- North Devon District Council
- Appeal type
- minor · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- residential · Minor Dwellings
- Inspector
- Roberts G
- Postcode
- EX31 4ES
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- whether the proposed development would be acceptable having regard to local and national planning policies on the location of new housing
- the effect of the development on the character and appearance of the area
- the impact of the development on highway safety
What decided it
The appeal site's isolated and prominent location within open countryside, combined with the significant harm to rural character and landscape setting, would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the moderate benefits of housing supply and local need.
The moderate benefits of one new dwelling meeting local housing need and boosting supply were significantly and demonstrably outweighed by the significant harm to character and appearance and conflict with development plan policies that remain consistent with the NPPF.
What the Inspector cited
- Development plan policies
- Policy ST07Policy DM24Policy ST04Policy DM04Policy ST10Policy DM05
- National Planning Policy Framework
- Paragraph 11Paragraph 58Paragraph 61Paragraph 116Paragraph 135Paragraph 187
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 North Devon
The authority’s record since 2016 · every decision in 2025
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- Dismissed7 August 20266008489Quiet Waters, Atherington, EX37 9HZ
- Dismissed3 August 20266010545Land South of Four Crossway, Bratton Fleming, Barnstaple, EX32 7JL
- Dismissed24 June 20266005672Land off Bottoms Lane, Darracott, EX33 1JY
- Allowed18 June 20266006157Horseshoe Lodge, Burrington, Umberleigh, EX37 9LH
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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