PLANS to convert stables in Exbourne into a holiday lodge have been rejected, due to fears it would be too far away from the nearby village.

The applicants, Mr and Mrs I and S Haithwaite, were hoping the stables, next to Hayfield Road on the road from Townsend Farm to Waterhouse Farm Lane, could be turned into holiday accommodation.

But officers said the plans for a self-contained residential unit in a countryside location could not be fully justified.

Councillors on West Devon’s development management and licensing committee on Tuesday, April 19, heard that the site was not closely connected to Exbourne and did not have a satisfactory pedestrian connection that would discourage private vehicles.

Speaking against the plans, Cllr Terry Pearce (Ind, Mary Tavy) said: “What we’re being shown here is a wooden stable, which the applicant wishes to be converted to holiday accommodation.

“I have major concerns about this because what will be required under building regulations for conversion will bring for us a significantly different structure to what is there now.

“And it does concern me that we are allowing – or would be, if it was approved – something which would not fit in with the open countryside.

“Although it said it’s close to the village, it’s a quarter of a mile away in my reckoning. Three or four hundred metres is a quarter mile away in old money.

“And I do feel that what we would end up with here – the structure that would be here for holiday accommodation – would be a lot different to what we are seeing now or being presented with.”

Officers also added that the proposals were not supported by relevant joint local plan policies and would result in an unsustainable form of development contrary to planning policy.

Philip Churm

LDRS