Planning appeal decision
Land to the North of Church Lane, Littleham, EX39 5HR
Planning appeal 6007908 at Land to the North of Church Lane, Littleham, EX39 5HR (Torridge) was dismissed on 6 July 2026 by Inspector J Hills, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: Whether the site is suitable for residential development, having regard to its location, the proposed land use, and the amount of development.
residential development with associated works
- Authority
- Torridge
- Appeal type
- Planning
- Procedure
- Written
- Development
- residential
- Inspector
- J Hills
- Postcode
- EX39 5HR
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- Whether the site is suitable for residential development, having regard to its location, the proposed land use, and the amount of development
What decided it
The site's poor access to services and facilities by sustainable transport modes, combined with the absence of demonstrated local housing need, means the location is unsuitable for residential development and the adverse impacts of unsustainable growth outweigh the benefits of housing delivery.
The social benefits of housing delivery (significant weight) and modest economic benefits were outweighed by the significant weight given to the conflict with sustainable development principles arising from poor access to services and facilities by sustainable transport modes, resulting in adverse impacts that significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits.
What the Inspector cited
- Development plan policies
- Policy ST07Policy DM24Policy ST18Policy ST19Policy ST17Policy ST10Policy DM06Policy DM05Policy DM02Policy ST01
- National Planning Policy Framework
- Paragraph 11Paragraph 115Paragraph 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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More decisions in Torridge
The authority’s record since 2016 · every decision in 2026
- Allowed30 September 20266010706Sleepy Corner, Stibb Cross, Torrington, EX38 8LH
- Allowed16 September 20266009632Land At Grid Reference 235658 108325, Holsworthy Beacon, Holsworthy, EX22 7NE
- Dismissed16 September 20266009618Land At Grid Reference 251114 109537, Petrockstowe, EX20 3HQ
- Dismissed1 September 20266010166Nectar Haze, Bounds Cross, Pyworthy, EX22 6LH
- Dismissed20 August 20266010409Land at Berry Cross, Langtree, EX38 8NT
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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