®Planning appeal decision
The Big Sheep, Abbotsham, Bideford, EX39 5AP
Planning appeal 3375548 at The Big Sheep, Abbotsham, Bideford, EX39 5AP (Torridge District Council) was dismissed on 30 July 2026 by Inspector Moss J, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: Whether the material change of use of the appeal site to a mixed use comprising a use as an adventure park and a use as a caravan and camping site has occurred.
a mixed use as an adventure park, caravan and camping site
- Authority
- Torridge District Council
- Appeal type
- ldc · Lawful Development Certificate
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- leisure-sport · Change of use
- Inspector
- Moss J
- Postcode
- EX39 5AP
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- Whether the material change of use of the appeal site to a mixed use comprising a use as an adventure park and a use as a caravan and camping site has occurred
- If so, whether or not this use has continued substantially uninterrupted for a period of 10 years or more, beginning with the date of the breach
- If not, whether the appeal site is used for some other purpose
- If so, whether that use is lawful by reason of the grant of planning permission, because it has continued substantially uninterrupted for a period of 10 years or more beginning with the date of the breach, or for some other reason
- The effect on any lawfulness of the use or uses identified on the appeal site of any planning permissions granted for the land
What decided it
The appeal site does not comprise a single planning unit with a single mixed use of adventure park and camping/caravanning as claimed, and the uses identified on the site either lack the benefit of planning permission or have not continued substantially uninterrupted for 10 years or more.
What the Inspector cited
- Judgments
- Burdle & Williams v SSE & New Forest DC [1972] 1 WLR 1207; Biss v Smallburgh Rural District Council [1965]; Webber v Minister of Housing and Local Government [1968]; Newbury DC v SSE & Others [1980] 2 WLR 379, [1981] AC 578; Trustees of Castell-y-Mynach Estate v SSW [1985] JPL 40
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 2026
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- Allowed3 December 20253352946Bowood Farm, Roborough, Winkleigh, Devon, EX19 8TE
- Quashed On Legal Grounds28 August 20253353988Meddon, Hartland, EX39 6HB
- Notice varied and upheld29 April 20253340537Follyfoot Equestrian Centre Sandymere Rd, Sandymere Rd, Northam, Devon, EX39 1XR
- Quashed On Legal Grounds26 March 20253355161The Laurels Inn, Petrockstow, Okehampton, EX20 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.