DEVELOPERS behind a major housing scheme in Tiverton have succeeded in getting a requirement for some of the homes to be self-build plots dropped.

The 86-home scheme at Braid Park in Uplowman Road was originally given approval in April 2022, but came with a condition that part of the development had to include five custom and self-build plots.

These had to be marketed for at least 12 months in line with a strategy that the developer had to submit to Mid Devon District Council.

But this restriction was allowed be removed if efforts to sell these custom and self-build homes proved unsuccessful.

Mid Devon’s planning committee this week granted permission for the developer, Barratt and David Wilson (BDW) Homes Exeter, to now sell those five plots as they see fit, which likely means they will be able to build their own properties on them and sell them on the open market.

Mid Devon said BDW had tried marketing the five self-build plots from June 2022 – well before the official marketing start date of April 2023 – and only had seven enquiries until it stopped marketing them in July last year.

“Our policies state that should the plots not be sold as custom and self-build plots, following every endeavour by the owner to sell them, the owner may dispose of the plots as they see fit, free from the restrictions and obligations for them to be custom and self-build units,” a report for councillors said.

“Officers can confirm that following detailed discussions during December last year, including with the Mid Devon housing and enabling officer, that BDW was informed it had met the requirements to end the agreement, and that an application would be required to formalise the change to open market units, which has now been submitted.”

Councillors on the planning committee approved the application on Wednesday, May 8.

By Bradley Gerrard