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Greater Exeter Strategic Plan

Ilford Park – South Growth Area

Site Reference: SA-T-22

Housing and Employment Land Availability Assessment (HELAA) sites included: None

Parish(es): Newton Abbot / Ilsington / Teigngrace

District(s): Teignbridge District Council

Site size: 46 hectares

Number of homes considered in Sustainability Appraisal Report: Employment only

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

Potential for employment use:Yes

Relationship with existing allocations and other potential GESP sites: Less than 1km from site option SA-T-8 (Land north of Forches Cross).

Planning status: Permission granted in 2014 for mixed use development comprising B2 and B8 employment development (with ancillary B1 office); restaurant/public house; and residential development (including demolition of existing dwellings at Gaverick Court) together with associated landscaping, play space, drainage, car parking and access.

Summary description of the site: 46 ha of flat land in use as forestry, with some commercial and residential (C2) uses. The site is adjacent to the A38 Drumbridges junction and Trago Mills. Site topography and location are well suited for providing employment development possibly including a service station. The site includes an extant planning permission for employment uses.

Opportunities

This site is identified for consideration as employment land in the GESP because:

  • Part of the site has an existing planning permission for B2 and B8 employment uses
  • The site is adjacent to the existing A38 Drumbridges junction
  • The topography is suitable for employment uses
  • Potential for a service station to serve the Devon Expressway dual carriageway
  • Some significant areas of hardstanding and brownfield land

Sensitivities

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

  • It includes large wooded areas which might host Greater Horseshoe bats, Great Crested Newts, Cirl Buntings and other protectedspecies
  • Close to Stover Country Park SSSI (freshwater lake)
  • Close to Stover Registered Park and Garden and other listed buildings and features which form part of the historic Stover House estate
  • Within the Bovey Basin Minerals Safeguarding area for Ball Clay identified in the Devon Minerals Plan
  • Existing Gaverick Court provides accommodation and specialist care for up to 95 vulnerable elderly World War Two veterans
  • Existing permissions have not been delivered due to significant investment needed in infrastructure including electricity sub-stations and highways

Requirements

Planning requirements for the site will aim to create a great place to work, providing well designed new development with appropriate and well managed public open space and safe walking/cycling routes. All sites will need to provide 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:

  • Ensure protection of protected species including Greater Horseshoe Bats and their supporting habitats such as trees, mature hedgerows and dark corridors
  • Carefully considered design, materials and planting to ensure minimal impact on the heritage, landscape and biodiversity of the area including water quality management
  • The planned widening of the A382 and appropriate junction upgrades to allow safe vehicular access to and from the site
  • Improved cycle links towards the Templar way, including crossing or bridge points over main roads where necessary
  • Provision of green infrastructure routes and connecting movement corridors for leisure or active travel commuting purposes
  • Land safeguarded for electricity sub-station (area to be determined)
  • Development to have limited lifespan to enable minerals to be extracted in long term
  • Bus stop and improved bus services

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