Planning appeal decision
Fernleigh, Ludwell Lane, Exeter, Devon, EX2 5AQ
Planning appeal 6000741 at Fernleigh, Ludwell Lane, Exeter, Devon, EX2 5AQ (Exeter City Council) was dismissed on 27 November 2025 by Inspector Hills J, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: Whether prior approval should be granted with particular regard to the location of the building and its design or external appearance.
prior notification (Class Q – (a) and (b) for a change of use from an agricultural building to 1no. dwellinghouse (Use Class C3)
- Authority
- Exeter City Council
- Appeal type
- minor · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- residential · Change of use
- Inspector
- Hills J
- Postcode
- EX2 5AQ
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- Whether prior approval should be granted with particular regard to the location of the building and its design or external appearance
What decided it
The harm to the character and setting of the Ludwell Valley Park from the introduction of residential use and associated activity would make the conversion undesirable despite acceptable design, outweighing the purpose of Class Q to support housing supply.
What the Inspector cited
- National Planning Policy Framework
- Paragraph 135
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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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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- Dismissed23 September 20266013697Pavement O/S Clarendon House, 3 Heavitree Road, Exeter, EX1 2JW
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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