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Greater Exeter Strategic Plan

Whimple – East Growth Area

Site Reference: SA-ED-12

Housing and Employment Land Availability Assessment (HELAA) sites included: 3m137yy, o814040, 2j13ay8

Parish(es): Whimple

District(s): East Devon District Council

Site size: 242 hectares

Number of homes considered in Sustainability Appraisal Report: 4,360 – 5,813 homes

Indicative number of homes factoring in sensitivities and requirements (see below): 2,500 homes

Potential for employment use: It would need to provide a mix of employment uses alongside housing.

Relationship with existing allocations and other potential GESP sites: Fairly close to Cranbrook.

Planning status: None

Summary description of the site: 337ha of predominantly agricultural land to the north and east of the village of Whimple, located on both sides of the railway.

Opportunities

This site is identified for consideration in the GESP because:

  • It is close to Whimple train station
  • Whimple includes a number of essential services already which could be enhanced
  • Planned jobs growth at the West End is reasonably nearby
  • It could potentially help to address existing issues of flood risk

Sensitivities

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

  • It may impact upon the Pebblebed Heaths which are Natura 2000 protected wildlife sites sensitive to an increase in the number of visitors
  • Parts of the site is affected by flooding
  • Access from the A30 and across the railway insufficient for strategic scale development
  • Frequency of train and bus services in Whimple is poor. Some distance from Exeter and could increase pressure on the already at capacity Junction 29 of the M5
  • A number of Listed Buildings exist within and nearby the site. Development could have the potential to impact upon the setting of Whimple Conservation Area
  • Local primary school provision at/approaching capacity. Clyst Vale Community College lies a significant distance away and the school has limited scope for expansion
  • Topography and landscape sensitivity/visual prominence in some parts of the site
  • A large proportion of the site is high grade agricultural land
  • Site includes and borders multiple County Wildlife Sites and may contain Great Crested Newts and other protected species
  • It may be visible from the East Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

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:

  • Funding of measures to reduce the impact on the Pebblebed Heaths including provision of Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace (SANG)
  • Measures to address the risk of flooding on site
  • Rail infrastructure improvements to enable half-hourly train service frequency
  • Significant improvements to vehicular access from the B3174 plus railway crossings
  • Pedestrian and cycle connectivity to jobs and services at Cranbrook and the West End
  • On-site primary school provision including early years and on-site secondary school provision
  • High quality design and layout to reduce the impact upon heritage assets
  • A variety of amenities and services including a small amount of convenience retail, local employment, sports, recreation and healthcare provision
  • Development will need to respect the privacy of existing dwellings located nearby

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