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Greater Exeter Strategic Plan

Axminster South – East Growth Area

Site Reference: SA-ED-19

Housing and Employment Land Availability Assessment (HELAA) sites included: 5r1379x

Parish(es): Axminster

District(s): East Devon District Council

Site size: 54 hectares

Number of homes considered in Sustainability Appraisal Report: 831 – 1,072 homes

Indicative number of homes factoring in sensitivities and requirements (see below): 540 homes

Potential for employment use: It would need to provide some small scale employment alongside housing.

Relationship with existing allocations and other potential GESP sites: The adopted East Devon Local Plan allocates a site (E105) for around 650 dwellings and 8ha employment space as a north east urban extension of the town. The area is being masterplanned.

Planning status: None

Summary description of the site: A rectangular shaped site adjacent to the southeast of the existing built-up area of Axminster. The site is fairly level with undulating areas. It is currently in agricultural use and includes farm buildings and a small number of houses. The site is bounded to the south by the A35, the west by the A358 and the north by Woodbury Lane.

Opportunities

This site is identified for consideration in the GESP because:

  • Part of the site has been put forward by landowners for development
  • It would provide a logical extension to Axminster
  • It has fairly level topography which would enable development
  • It is located close to the A35 which provides good strategic road access
  • The site could provide land for a junction improvement on the A35
  • It is located within walking distance of Axminster station which provides sustainable travel options
  • It is within walking distance of services and facilities in Axminster town centre
  • It provides the potential to link to the National Cycle Network Route 2 along Woodbury Lane
  • It links to a good network of existing public rights of way and open space to the south

Sensitivities

The site has a number of sensitivities which development would need to take into account, including:

  • A Scheduled Monument sits within the site at Woodbury Farm, together with the considerable likelihood of significant related, Roman archaeology beyond the Monument boundary
  • It may impact upon the level of nutrients discharged into the River Axe, which is a Natura 2000 protected wildlife site
  • The former route of the Taunton Stop Line anti-tank ditch would need careful consideration
  • It may be visible from the Blackdown Hills and East Devon Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty
  • There is the potential for an increase in car-borne out-commuting to Exeter
  • A small area of the site is affected by flooding
  • One listed building within the site at Higher Wyke Farm
  • It may contain Great Crested Newts and other protected species
  • A large proportion of the site is likely to be high grade agricultural land

Requirements

Planning requirements for the site will aim to create a great place to live and work, providing well designed new neighbourhoods with appropriate and well managed public open space and safe walking/cycling routes. All sites will need to provide a mix of homes (including affordable and custom build), investment in low carbon energy and transport, high speed internet and wildlife enhancements. More detail on these can be found in the policies within Section B of this document. Other emerging requirements include:

  • Significant areas of multifunctional open space and landscaping associated with preserving the scheduled monument and other archaeology
  • Funding of measures to mitigate any nutrient management impacts on the River Axe
  • Contributions to early years, primary, secondary and special educational needs provision
  • Attractive pedestrian and cycle routes through the site, to the station and town centre
  • Safeguarding of land and contributions to a junction improvement on the A35
  • Safeguarding of the National Cycle Network Route 2 on Woodbury Road
  • Measures to address the risk of flooding on site
  • Improvements to bus services
  • A variety of amenity and community facilities including community building, outdoor play space, small local shop and potential contributions to healthcare improvements
  • Development will need to respect the privacy of existing dwellings located nearby

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