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Greater Exeter Strategic Plan

Land North of Forches Cross – South Growth Area

Site Reference: SA-T-8

Housing and Employment Land Availability Assessment (HELAA) sites included: iz137wn

Parish(es): Newton Abbot

District(s): Teignbridge District Council

Site size: 23 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: Close to existing allocation NA1 in the Teignbridge Local Plan

Planning status: None

Summary description of the site: 23 ha of gently undulating fields west of the A382, approximately2.5 km north of Newton Abbot and 1.5 km south of Drumbridges (A38).

Opportunities

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

  • A large proportion of the site has been put forward by landowners for development
  • The adjacent A382 is planned to be improved, widened and a cycle path added
  • The site is close to the A38 Drumbridges junction
  • The site’s topography is suitable for employment uses
  • It is adjacent to an existing Teignbridge Local Plan employment allocation at Forches Cross
  • Land safeguarded for ball clay may not be allocated for permanent development

Sensitivities

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

  • It may contain Greater Horseshoe Bats, Great Crested Newts, Cirl Buntings and other protected species
  • It is close to Stover House (Grade II) and Stover Registered Park and Garden and other listed buildings and features which form part of the historic house estate
  • It is largely within the Bovey Basin Minerals Safeguarding area for Ball Clayidentified in the Devon Minerals Plan
  • Landscape impact –the site is currently separated from the built up area of Newton Abbot and development will alter the character of this location
  • A large proportion of the site may be high grade agricultural land
  • Wooded areas, particularly Moorlands Copse

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 carbonenergy 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 mature hedgerows and dark corridors
  • Carefully considered design, use of materials, planting and landscaping to ensure minimal impact on the heritage, landscape and biodiversityof the area
  • Development to have limited lifespan to enable minerals to be extracted in the longerterm
  • Appropriate junction upgrade to allow safe access to and from the site
  • Improved cycle and walking links towards Newton Abbot and NA1, including crossing or bridge points over main roads where necessary
  • Contributions to a new recycling centre
  • Land safeguarded for electricity infrastructure (e.g.sub-station)
  • Bus stop and improved bus services

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