A Public Inquiry into a proposed housing development which we opposed as it 'goes against the Neighbourhood Plan' starts on Tuesday 12 January 2020.

The inquiry – which will be held virtually via Microsoft Teams and telephone - into the Inglewood application, south of White Rock, Paignton, starts at 10am and will be led by an Inspector appointed by the Secretary of State, Mr Andrew Dawe BSc (Hons), MSc, MPhil, MRTPI. It is expected to continue for around seven days.

The appeal is against Torbay Council’s non-determination of the Inglewood application. However, the council’s planning committee considered the application on 10 February 2020 and resolved that they would have refused the application, had an appeal not been submitted. Our reasons for refusal related to the proposal’s landscape impact on the nearby Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and the settlement gap between White Rock and Galmpton; as well as conflict with the development plan for the area, particularly the Brixham Peninsula Neighbourhood Plan.

Steve Darling, Leader of Torbay Council, said: “We are opposed to this planning application, which completely goes against the Neighbourhood Plan for Brixham, which was supported by 90% of people in Torbay who responded during the Neighbourhood Plan referendum in May 2019. It would also have a detrimental effect on the natural environment, as well as a range of other key local projects.”

Darren Cowell, Deputy Leader of Torbay Council, said: “Not only do we know there is widespread support in Torbay for the Neighbourhood Plan from local residents, but equally we know that the Localism agenda is very important to the government. The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, the Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP visited Paignton in 2019, and emphasised that Neighbourhood Plans are essential.

Councillor Mike Morey, Cabinet Member for Infrastructure, Environment and Culture for Torbay Council, said: “This is a very important site for the future of the Brixham Peninsula Neighbourhood Plan and the neighbourhood plan group has always opposed development of this site. The Neighbourhood Plan Group considered the site and further rejected it. We hope the Inspector will support our Neighbourhood Plan.”

Documents giving more details including the formal Notice, statements of case, proofs of evidence, summaries and statements of common ground can be viewed on the Inglewood Inquiry pages.