®Planning appeal decision
Sunnybrook Farm (Formerly - Park House Farm), Portgate, Road From Harris Arms To South View, Okehampton, Lewdown, Devon, EX20 4PZ
Planning appeal 3365752 at Sunnybrook Farm (Formerly - Park House Farm), Portgate, Road From Harris Arms To South View, Okehampton, Lewdown, Devon, EX20 4PZ (West Devon Borough Council) was dismissed on 5 November 2025 by Inspector Wildsmith D, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: whether the proposed development would be in a suitable and sustainable location, with particular regard to access to services and facilities.
the installation of 4no. glamping pods for overnight guest use, associated decking, reinforced grass track & parking / turning area, service hut, secure bicycle storage and recycling/refuse storage. Also intended is minor landscaping of the site, planting of native species trees, hedgerow, shrubbery and meadow grass with wildflowers throughout the site
- Authority
- West Devon Borough Council
- Appeal type
- minor · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- leisure-sport · Other minor developments
- Inspector
- Wildsmith D
- Postcode
- EX20 4PZ
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- whether the proposed development would be in a suitable and sustainable location, with particular regard to access to services and facilities
- the effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the surrounding area
- the effect of the proposed development on biodiversity
- whether the proposed development would be served by suitable surface water drainage arrangements
- whether the proposed development would deliver a comprehensive scheme of carbon reduction measures
What decided it
The proposed development would be located in an unsuitable and unsustainable location with heavy reliance on private car use, would cause adverse impacts on landscape character and appearance in a sensitive rural area, and would fail to demonstrate compliance with biodiversity net gain, surface water drainage, and carbon reduction requirements.
What the Inspector cited
- Development plan policies
- Policy SPT1Policy SPT2Policy TTV1Policy TTV2Policy TTV26Policy DEV15Policy DEV20Policy DEV23Policy DEV26Policy DEV29Policy DEV32Policy DEV35
- National Planning Policy Framework
- Paragraph 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
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The authority’s record since 2016 · every decision in 2025
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- Allowed9 March 20266002087The Old Forge, Road From Castle Cross To Grindhill Cross, Broadbury, Devon, EX2 4LG
- Allowed28 January 20266000708Wooladon Farm, Lifton, Devon, PL16 0DD
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.