General Discussion
As well as signing the petition you could also make a comment about the need to protect this green space via the latest consultation on the proposed Local Plan.
The consultation closes at 5.00pm on 22nd December.
Due to the rules of this particular consultation you must start by saying " I support the correction of the settlement limit to the south of Dawlish and rejection of allocating the site known as Land West of Teignmouth Road for housing in the Sustainability Proposal because......." then just explain why this green space is so special to you (eg recreation, views, exercise, ecology, tranquility, etc etc).
To submit your comments you can either use the online form at the bottom of the consultation or email localplanreview@teignbridge.gov.uk
Please give details of the person making comments: Please enter your name, phone number, email address and postal address
You can use either the online or paper form to submit your comments. • Online form is available at: www.teignbridge.gov.uk/localplanaddendum • Paper forms are available from your local Town or Parish Council Office, Libraries in Teignbridge District (outside of Dartmoor National Park), or by contacting the Local Plan Team on localplanreview@teignbridge.gov.uk or 01626 215754
See below for the reasons why these three fields were originally dismissed by TDC as not being suitable for development. Has anything changed re the reasons why they should not be developed? Not as far as I am aware. These fields only reappeared as being an option because the landowners and developers with an interest in developing land in Dawlish objected to them being left out given as no land whatsoever was identified for future development in the parish of Dawlish. Don't forget there is a huge uplift in value of land that gets identified for future development especially if its present use is as agricultural land - which is what these three fields are used for. So........potential megabucks to be made (or not!) by developers and land owners.
"The site encompasses land between Dawlish and Holcombe. Northern 3 fields much less steeply sloping than those of the valley to north and south of watercourse. Vehicular access via A379 to east would need to rise to reach developable land. Possibility of smaller areas for custom build/small site off spurs of development via South Downs Road. Opportunity to provide biodiversity net gain and SANGS through the creation of a valley park and development that includes good quality GI throughout. Whilst it will reduce the undeveloped gap between Dawlish and Holcombe, the site lies adjacent, in part, to existing residential estate development, which assists in providing a suitable context for the development of the northern part of the site. Potential for development in the northern part of the site but the undeveloped gap between Dawlish and Holcombe is already very narrow and further development would reduce this to around 200m. In this sensitive coastal area this is considered to outweigh the benefit of development."
These are the reasons why the land was rejected a few months back by TDC councillors for future housing development, after TDC planners had put it forward for consideration. For why it was put forward by the planners see my comments in the post above (no land allocated in Dawlish for housing development in the emerging Local Plan 2020-2040).
"The site encompasses land between Dawlish and Holcombe. Vehicular access can be achieved via Teignmouth Road (A379) to the east but would need to rise to reach developable land. Would need to provide biodiversity net gain and SANGS through the creation of a valley park and development that includes good quality green infrastructure throughout. Development would reduce the undeveloped gap between Dawlish and Holcombe which forms part of the landscape character of the area. The revised site for Addendum Plan consideration was reduced into three gently sloping fields. A landscape buffer would be recommended along the edge of the mature woodland and adjacent to the existing adjacent residential properties. The upper fields are visually exposed to views from the northern edge of Holcombe. It is considered that Land West of Teignmouth Road would be undesirable to be developed due to its location within the Undeveloped Coast and impact on open break between Dawlish and Holcombe."
This is the text of Dawlish Town Council's submission to the Teignbridge Local Plan (2020-2040) Addendum Consultation (SWRRP = South West Rail Resilience Programme).
Resolved that the committee would submit the following comments on behalf of Dawlish Town Council:
Dawlish Town council would like to comment that they are happy with the removal of the 3 sites, Southdowns Road, Kenton and Ipplepen, from the Plan. We would request that Southdowns, (Teignmouth Road) does not get put back in the future due to the risk of flooding, lack of cliff stability and transport concerns with more housing in these areas. Particularly referencing the SWRRP phase 5 presentation from Network rail which highlights the possible changing in hydrology in these three fields, which would further destabilise the cliffs if more developments occured.
The Council would also like to endorse the petition currently circulating to make Holcombe fields and Oakwoods a designated local green space.
Info on the SWRRP phase 5 can be found via this linkhttps://www.networkrail.co.uk/running-the-railway/our-routes/western/south-west-rail-resilience-programme/parsons-tunnel-to-teignmouth-resilience-project/ ;