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Dismissed19 March 20266002231

Orchard Barn, Higher Carley Barns, Lifton, Devon, PL16 0EB

Planning appeal 6002231 at Orchard Barn, Higher Carley Barns, Lifton, Devon, PL16 0EB (West Devon Borough Council) was dismissed on 19 March 2026 by Inspector Cooper-Young C, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: whether the location of the proposed development is appropriate for an open-market dwelling.

a change of use from holiday let to residential with minor changes to elevations

Authority
West Devon Borough Council
Appeal type
minor · Planning Appeal
Procedure
Written Representations
Development
residential · Change of use
Inspector
Cooper-Young C
Postcode
PL16 0EB

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

  • whether the location of the proposed development is appropriate for an open-market dwelling
  • whether sufficient information has been provided to demonstrate that there is no proven demand for the holiday let

What decided it

The location of the proposed development is inappropriate for an open-market dwelling in an isolated countryside location contrary to the development plan, and the adverse impacts significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits even under the tilted balance test.

The provision of a single dwelling and associated economic benefits attracted limited weight, but the significant conflict with the development plan's sustainable location and rural tourism policies, which are broadly consistent with the Framework, meant the adverse impacts significantly and demonstrably outweighed the benefits, so the presumption in favour of sustainable development did not apply.

What the Inspector cited

Development plan policies
Policy SPT1Policy SPT2Policy TTV1Policy TTV26Policy DEV15
National Planning Policy Framework
Paragraph 84Paragraph 11
Judgments
Braintree DC v SSCLG [2018] EWCA Civ 610; Bramshill v SSHCLG [2021] EWCA Civ 320

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 West Devon

The authority’s record since 2016 · every decision in 2026

  1. Dismissed5 November 20253365752
    Sunnybrook Farm (Formerly - Park House Farm), Portgate, Road From Harris Arms To South View, Okehampton, Lewdown, Devon, EX20 4PZ
  2. Allowed18 March 20253355039
    Alder Farm, Lewdown, EX20 4PJ
  3. Dismissed13 January 20253338144
    Old Stables, Rumleigh House, Road From Lower Rum, Rumleigh, Bere Alston, Devon, PL20 7HN
  4. Dismissed31 December 20243346095
    Rosemary Cottage, Thorndon Cross, Okehampton, EX20 4NF
  5. Allowed6 September 20243341347
    Preston Moor , Inwardleigh, Okehampton, Devon, EX20 3AL

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.