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Greater Exeter Strategic Plan

Crediton South – Central Growth Area

Site Reference: SA-MD-3

Housing and Employment Land Availability Assessment (HELAA) sites included: j3137fv

Parish(es): Crediton

District(s): Mid Devon District Council

Site size: 90 hectares

Number of homes considered in Sustainability Appraisal Report: 1,473 – 1,900 homes

Indicative number of homes factoring in sensitivities and requirements (see below): 750 homes

Potential for employment use: No

Relationship with existing allocations and other potential GESP sites: Possible relationship with site options SA-MD-4 (Newton St Cyres and Sweetham) and SA-ED-26 (Cowley) to collectively deliver transport infrastructure, including rail, bus and cycle improvements.

Planning status: None

Summary description of the site: This agricultural site adjoins the southern boundary of the historic market town of Crediton, about 11km northwest of Exeter, served by the Tarka Line Railway and also linked by the A377. The topography is irregular with steeper slopes along small marked valleys by Great Parks Farm, Lower Parks Farm and the western edge of the site. Farms and residential properties are dispersed throughout the site.

Opportunities

This site is identified for consideration in the GESP because:

  • A large proportion of the site has been put forward by landowners for development
  • It is within walking distance of the services and facilities within Crediton
  • The nearby train station offers the potential for residents to travel by rail, with a 10 minute journey time, into Exeter (with also the potential to travel north)
  • With provision of an appropriate route, residents could cycle to Crediton centre or towards Exeter
  • In combination with the other potential GESP sites Newton St Cyres and Sweetham (SA-MD-10) and Cowley (SA-ED-26) there is potential to bring investment in improved rail services and cycle links e.g. the proposed cycle route (the Boniface Trail) from Crediton to Exeter. The potential Cowley site option also considers provision of a Park and Ride, which would be an alternative means of accessing Exeter

Sensitivities

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

  • Listed buildings at Great Parks Farm, Henley House, Crediton Station and Crediton Conservation Area nearby
  • A large proportion of the site is identified as a monument of local importance – ‘Manor of Crediton Parks’ (an undesignated medieval deer park)
  • A number of public rights of way
  • Crediton and Exeter Air Quality Management Areas could be impacted from increased travel movements.
  • Flooding affects land south of the railway and along Mill Leat, with associated potential biodiversity assets (grazing marsh habitat)
  • A ‘main river’ watercourse (Mill Leat) is identified following the railway line from Henley House to south of Taw Vale Terrace
  • The site may contain bats, otters and other protected species
  • A large proportion of the site is high grade agricultural land
  • Steeper slope areas within the site
  • Air quality impacts in this area need to be considered collectively for the Culm Grasslands

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:

  • Contribution to the strategic cycle link from Crediton to Exeter (the Boniface Trail)
  • Enhancements to public transport infrastructure to enable increased frequency of rail and bus services between Crediton and Exeter
  • A package of improvements to upgrade highway access (either A377/Station Road junction or alternative route to connect to Tesco roundabout) and level crossing upgrade, to include signals. This will also need to consider flooding associated with Mill Leat
  • A community building, flexible in design to host local services as required
  • Safeguarding of land for secondary school provision and provision of a primary school
  • Contribution towards secondary school places and GP provision
  • Measures to address the risk of flooding on site
  • Potential gas, electricity and waste water utilities improvements
  • Safeguarding of a potential route for an A377 Crediton town centre bypass
  • Potential contributions to a recycling centre expansion
  • Development will need to respect the privacy of existing dwellings located nearby

 

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