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Greater Exeter Strategic Plan

Exminster West – Central Growth Area

Site Reference: SA-T-16

Housing and Employment Land Availability Assessment (HELAA) sites included: kg140jo

Parish(es): Exminster

District(s): Teignbridge District Council

Site size: 16 hectares

Number of homes considered in Sustainability Appraisal Report: 297 – 384 homes

Indicative number of homes factoring in sensitivities and requirements (see below): 200 homes

Potential for employment use: No

Relationship with existing allocations and other potential GESP sites: Site is less than 1km from South West Exeter (SWE1) urban extension in the Teignbridge Local Plan and 1.3km from the site option SA-T-18 (Peamore).

Planning status: None

Summary description of the site: 16 ha on western edge of Exminster with the M5 to north and Old Matford lane providing a direct link to development at SWE1. Site is 600m from the village centre with access to the A379. Land is mainly gently sloping, rising up a hillside to the west of the Exe, with potential for landscape impacts. Site is approximately 4.8km from Exeter City Centre and is therefore considered as being within the Exeter urban fringe.

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
  • The site is adjacent to Exminster which has a range of shops, services and facilities
  • Exminster has an existing regular bus service into Exeter
  • The site is marginally within cycling distance of Exeter

Sensitivities

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

  • It may impact upon the Exe Estuary and Dawlish Warren, which are Natura 2000 protected wildlife sites sensitive to an increase in the number of visitors
  • There is no potential to increase existing primary school capacity as the existing site is significantly undersized and the school has already been expanded. The development would not support viable new primary school provision
  • It may contain Great Crested Newts, Cirl Buntings and other protected species
  • It will be necessary to have regard to the setting of listed buildings including the Grade II* listed converted Exe Vale Hospital and associated outbuildings
  • A large proportion of the site is high grade agricultural land
  • There may be noise from the M5 Motorway

Requirements

Planning requirements for the site will aim to create a great place to live, providing a well designed new neighbourhood 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:

  • Funding of measures to reduce the impact on the Exe Estuary/Dawlish Warren, including provision/ contribution towards Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace (SANG)
  • Additional primary school provision. This would require a new school including site and buildings as part of consolidated primary provision in the village. This would need to be wholly funded by development
  • Ensure protection of protected species and their supporting habitats such as mature hedgerows
  • Significant green infrastructure to provide amenities such as play space and allotments, as well as green space around sensitive features (e.g. listed buildings) and movement corridors
  • Maintain any existing NHS services located within the Sanatorium building, or if these no longer exist explore potential for conversion of space into suitable alternative uses (e.g. offices / work space hub)
  • Contribution towards Secondary School and GP provision
  • Improved cycle link to Exeter
  • Improving foot and cycle safety along local lanes, particularly Deepway Lane, Old Matford Lane and if possible lanes to and including Days Pottles Lane
  • Measures to address any risk of flooding including to neighbouring property
  • Development will need to respect the privacy of existing dwellings located nearby

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