STOKE GABRIEL PARISH COUNCIL

Chairman: Mr Richard Tully, Waddeton Barton, Waddeton, Devon.  Tel: 842174

Dear Miss Phillips                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

P/2011/0197 – Land West Of, Brixham Road, Paignton, Devon.

Thank you for your planning application advice dated 9^th March 2011. At the Parish Council’s February meeting it was agreed that this Council would write strongly objecting to the proposal to develop this site to construct 350 dwellings with employment floor space, and associated infrastructure

This is a departure from the local plan. After the 2005 public enquiry the inspector stated that trees had to be planted in designated areas before any development could commence. It is now 2011 and no trees have been planted. The purpose of these trees was to screen adjacent villages including Dittisham across the River Dart.

Long Road, Coombe House Lane, Stoke Road, Aish Road and Waddeton Road are used constantly by students and staff commuting to the College. These roads are single track lanes which are used by farm vehicles, caravans and holiday makers and are totally unsuitable to cater for a further major development.

Regarding additional employment floor space we would remind you that 1/3 of the present business space is unoccupied. Sainsbury’s is less than a mile away and have indicated that they will be expanding the existing supermarket. It is also noted that 1208 dwellings on brown field sites within Torbay are currently unoccupied.

This Council is also concerned about water drainage. Stoke Gabriel is affected by surface water from White Rock which is held in storage tanks and then released into Lower Yalberton. This water then runs through pasture land and eventually into Byter Mill stream and into the Stoke Gabriel Mill Pond.  Port Bridge and the stream cannot cope with the amount of water running at present and this proposal will cause serious problems with flooding in and around Stoke Gabriel.

Is there a need for additional footpaths on land within South Hams which will cross cereal and livestock fields especially when there will be ample open spaces within the site. The proposed footpaths will cause unnecessary problems for farmers who use this land.

Finally this Council feels strongly that this proposal is unacceptable for infrastructure reasons which include employment and the effect on the landscape with green field developments and will have a detrimental effect to the Parish of Stoke Gabriel.   

Yours sincerely,

JOHN E. ROBINSON

On behalf of Stoke Gabriel Parish Council