EDDC have received an amendment to planning application 16/0218/OUT at Waterleat, High St. Newton Poppleford.

“Reduction in number of units from 12 to 9 (all open market following a change in Government advice); provision of a financial contribution towards affordable housing, open space and habitat mitigation (subject to viability); and submission of a new indicative layout plan showing the reduced number of dwellings and two parking spaces per dwelling.”

So GOVERNMENT ADVICE now means no affordable homes in this site in the centre of the village with its level access to transport and the village’s facilities which, of course, particularly lends itself to homes dedicated to the elderly.

A 2012 application was refused, one reason being the inadequate number of affordable homes. Consultee’s comments from EDDC’s Housing Strategy Officer, the Parish Council and the emerging Neighbourhood Plan Strategy Group all expressed deep unhappiness at the derisory 2 affordable housing units previously submitted in this current application. Now there are to be none!

Given the location of the site this is an opportunity sorely missed.