TDLP PART 2 CHAPTER 24 - VILLAGES AND THE COUNTRYSIDE

Introduction

24.1 General Policies DVT2 and DVT2C respectively provide the framework for acceptable development at the Villages and rural settlements other than the Local Centres and within the open countryside.

24.2 Those villages, hamlets, and groups of houses that lie outside the Local Centres and within the open countryside may have a sense of community, but do not have sufficient services to justify inclusion in a higher category of the Plan's settlement hierarchy. Where a particular need for service development at a specific village has been identified, this is addressed by a proposal detailed below. All other development schemes will be considered against the policies in Part 1 of the Plan. Large-scale development may warrant detailed guidance in the form of a development brief.

24.3 Where no specific proposal is made for a site within the open countryside, this does not mean that no development can take place. Policy DVT2C provides for certain types of development and there are a number of unimplemented planning consents at countryside sites. Any applications to renew unimplemented permissions will be considered against the policies of Part 1 of the Plan.

24.4 It has been estimated that housing on sites at the Villages and in the open countryside that were subject to commitment through planning consent (including sites subject to S106 agreements) and /or under construction amounted to about 645 houses at April 2001. Other significant general proposals - for example re-use of former railway lines - are referred to in Part 1 of the Plan.

Beaford

24.5 Beaford is a medium sized compact village, approximately 8km (5 miles) south of Great Torrington, astride the A3124.

24.6 The village has experienced limited residential growth in recent years. Over the period 1995 – 2001, only 6 houses were built in the parish. A site of 1.2 hectares at Marshall's Meadow, southwest of the village, is under construction and will provide a further 15 units. It has been estimated that the outstanding housing commitment at April 2001, including sites with planning permission and under construction, amounted to a further 19 houses, including the 15 mentioned above.

Recreation Proposals

24.7 Recreation provision in Beaford is provided by a cricket pitch, which is privately owned and used by the cricket club, a tennis court, equipped play areas, and an informal play space on the village green. The District Recreation Strategy concluded that there is adequate recreation provision and the Parish Council has indicated that there is no demand for further playing pitch provision. A deficiency in amenity open space is identified and is addressed by Proposal BEA1 on a site of approximately 1 hectare at Towell Meadow north of Towell Lane. A footpath that crosses the site from Shepherds Meadow to the A3124 provides pedestrian access.

Proposal BEA1: Towell Meadow

A site of 1 hectare at Towell Meadow as defined on the Proposals Map is allocated as amenity open space subject to the provision of:

(a) pedestrian access from Bond Street and Towell Lane; and

(b) a safe pedestrian route from the village centre along Towell Lane.

Buckland Brewer

24.7A Buckland Brewer is a compact and sizeable village located approximately 10 km (6 miles) south of Bideford. It has experienced steady growth since the mid 1980s. The parish population increased from 510 in 1981 to 764 in 1999. Additional housing development to the north, east and west of the village, principally on the eastern edge at Southwood Meadow and at Orleigh Close has contributed in excess of 40 new houses, increasing the size and altering the character of the village.

24.7B Over the period 1995 – 2001, 22 houses were built in the parish. It has been estimated that the outstanding housing commitment at April 2001, including sites with planning permission, under construction and subject to a planning agreement, amounted to a further 27 houses. There are no new proposals in the Plan for additional housing development at Buckland Brewer. A mixed-use scheme for about 50 additional houses and recreation and community facilities on land adjoining the primary school was demonstrated to be clearly of an inappropriate scale for the village, due to the landscape impact and the excessive amount of additional housing proposed.

24.7C The District Recreation Strategy identified open space and recreation deficiencies in the parish. The Strategy recommended further consideration of the possible improvement of existing facilities, the development of a multi-use games area, and the investigation of the need and potential for a new or improved village hall.

24.7D No site is allocated to accommodate any additional recreation provision. There are two playing pitches, at Bowden Cross and at Northwood. The recreational value and potential of the land north of Norwood Lane and the adjoining land south of Bowden Cross will be safeguarded in accord with Policy HSC12 of the Plan.

24.7E The best available location to accommodate any new community hall or recreational play area may be determined in accord with Policies HSC14 and HSC23 of the Plan. Such development could meet both the community and the educational needs.

Langtree

24.8 Langtree village is situated on the B3227 some 5 km (3.5 miles) southwest of Great Torrington. The village has experienced limited residential growth in recent years. Over the period 1995 – 2001, only 16 houses were built in the Parish. It has been estimated that the outstanding housing commitment at April 2001, including sites with planning permission and under construction, amounted to a further 85 houses.

24.9 Langtree supports a range of services including a community primary school, a parish playing pitch, and a new community hall. In addition to a playing pitch, there is a play area and there is amenity land around the Parish Church.

Recreation Proposals

24.10 Recreational needs have been assessed and the requirements are confirmed in Appendix 5 of Part 1 of the Plan. The District Recreation Strategy concluded that a new football pitch should be provided, and suggested that it should be integrated with the new hall. The Parish Council also has identified a need to improve the play area. The possible need for a multi-use games area is under review.

24.11 To help remedy the existing recreational open space deficiencies a site of about 1.5 ha is allocated for recreation development in accordance with Policy HSC14.

Proposal LNG2: Land adjoining Community School and Hall

A site to the north of Langtree Community School and Hall as defined on the Proposals Map is allocated for recreation development.

24.12 The Parish Council will implement the development in partnership with the District Council and the Local Education Authority. It is anticipated that grant aid will be sought.

Parkham

24.13 Parkham village is situated approximately 11km (7 miles) southwest of Bideford and 2.5 km (1.5 miles) south of the A39.

24.14 The village has experienced steady growth since the late 1970s. Over the period 1995 – 2001, 43 houses were built in the parish. It has been estimated that the outstanding housing commitment at April 2001, including sites with planning permission and under construction, amounted to a further 27 houses.

Recreation Proposals

24.15 Recreation provision in Parkham is limited to a children's play area and to a privately owned field west of the Allardice Hall, available only to the West Putford Football Club. The District Recreation Strategy identified a deficiency in open space and recreational play provision in Parkham.

24.16 The Parish Council is pursuing alternative and enhanced provision both on a site to the south of the village and adjacent to the Allardice Hall. The Parish Council seeks to provide a multi-use games area and a replacement football pitch, as recommended in the District Recreation Strategy, and a village green. To help remedy the existing recreational open space deficiencies, the site favoured by the Parish Council for provision of a central recreational open space is defined on the Proposals Map. Recreation development may proceed in accordance with Policy HSC14. It is anticipated that the Parish Council will implement the development in partnership with others. Grant aid may be sought.

Proposal PRK1: Site South of the Village

A site to the south of the village adjoining Bableigh Road as defined on the Proposals Map is allocated for recreation uses, providing for:

(a) a new playing field; and

(b) a multi-use games area.

 

^ Top | < Previous | Next >