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Greater Exeter Strategic Plan

Priory Road – South Growth Area

Site Reference: SA-T-5

Housing and Employment Land Availability Assessment (HELAA) sites included: uj137p9, if13b9q, hv13be8

Parish(es): Kingskerswell / Abbotskerswell

District(s): Teignbridge District Council

Site size: 59 hectares

Number of homes considered in Sustainability Appraisal Report: 706 – 912 homes

Indicative number of homes factoring in sensitivities and requirements (see below): 500 homes

Potential for employment use: No

Relationship with existing allocations and other potential GESP sites: Site is south of the NA3 allocation in the Teignbridge Local Plan.

Planning status: None

Summary description of the site: 3km south of Newton Abbot, adjacent to the A380 and close to existing allocation NA3, the area is primarily in agricultural use.

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 the existing NA3 allocation which offers some opportunities for shared infrastructure, in particular primary education
  • The site is within cycling distance of Newton Abbot

Sensitivities

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

  • It may contain Greater Horseshoe Bats, Cirl Buntings, Great Crested Newts, Dormouse, Otter and other protected species
  • Existing residential properties including those in Grade II* listed St Augustine’s Priory
  • Steep topography within the site affecting 12 ha, with mature trees and hedgerows
  • A large proportion of the site is high grade agricultural land
  • Cost of improving access into the site from Kingskerswell Road including widening of the road bridge over the railway and potential impact on the Grade 2 listed bridge
  • A large area of the site is affected by flooding
  • The severing impact of the bisecting railway line on the permeability and walkability of any development
  • Landscape and visual impact

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:

  • Ensure protection of protected species including Greater Horseshoe Bats and their supporting habitats such as mature hedgerows, waterways and dark corridors
  • Design must have regard to the setting of the listed Priory and Langford Bridge
  • Significant green infrastructure to provide benefits such as play space, allotments and green spaces, which can also be designed to buffer sensitive features
  • Improved access and junction works including the potential widening of the road bridge over the railway line
  • Improved cycle and walking links to provide safe routes including to Abbotskerswell and Kingskerswell with potential for bridge over railway line to minimise severance
  • A primary school or increased capacity of nearby primary schools
  • A flexible multi-use community building to host local services and events as required
  • Contribution towards secondary school capacity and GP provision off site
  • On-site measures to address the risk of flooding
  • Development will need to respect the privacy of existing dwellings located nearby

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