Gittisham Parish Council objects to development plans, which would change historic village forever

The village of Gittisham is objecting to the proposed developments contained in the draft East Devon Local Plan. 

Gittisham Parish Council argue that the proposed developments are in excess of what is needed and will effectively merge Honiton with Gittisham. 

The vast majority of Gittisham is a Conservation Area. An East Devon District Council Conservation Area Review states that Gittisham is an 'exceptionally attractive village' which looks much the same today as it did 200 - 300 years ago. The cottages in the village are mainly made of cob, thatch and flint and very little building work has taken place since the Village Hall was built in 1927. There are 43 listed buildings within the village.

The report states: "Gittisham vies with Broadhembury as being the most complete and unchanged thatched estate village in East Devon, with few rivals having such a perfectly preserved character."

The report suggests that there is 'little threat to the character' of the estate-owned village - but this is arguably no longer the case.

The East Devon Local Plan

The East Devon District Council (EDDC) Local Plan will set out planning developments over the next two decades. A draft plan has been released and is currently out for consultation. 

The final date for submitting comments is January 15.

EDDC hosted a series of events to gather public opinion. 

There are two proposed developments very close to Gittisham.

The proposed changes

One section of the proposal is close to the Combe Garden Centre. It would change the status of the land to an 'employment allocation', meaning it could be used for industrial or business purposes. 

A second area, which is to the west of Hayne Lane (in the fields between Honiton and Gittisham) would allocate land for a new housing development of approximately 100 houses.

The objections

Gittisham Parish Council are objecting to both of the proposed developments. 

Members of the parish council state that the proposed employment land is in excess of what is needed to meet the needs of the increase in housing. 

In addition, according to the Parish Council, development of this land would result in a 'highly visible and unacceptable ribbon development', and would, effectively, merge Honiton with Gittisham.

The council is also opposing the housing development on several grounds, including the negative effect it will have on the setting of Gittisham village and the surrounding Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

The Parish Council argues that the housing development will increase traffic through the village (as people drive to the new houses or to Honiton, which they would be forced to do due to limited access to public transport) and it would put further pressure on already stretched health, social, educational facilities in the area. 

The Parish Council has also raised concerns about destruction of high-quality agricultural land, lack of infrastructure (including gas, water, sewage) and an increased risk of flooding. 

A spokesperson from Gittisham Parish Council said: "The Gittisham Parish Council supports the general direction for managing growth and development in East Devon during the plan period.

"However, the Parish Council objects to the dwelling numbers and the quantity of land allocated for employment which, in the opinion of the Parish Council, are far in excess of that needed or achievable.

"The status of current infrastructure pressures including capacities at sewage treatment works, highways, schools, health facilities etc. should surely be a foundation stone of any investigations as regards the thresholds available for bringing forward development.

"The absence of any clarity regarding these thresholds within the plan is disturbing and potentially undermines the viability of many sites being put forward."

"The Parish Council is aware of the level of local opposition to further development west of Hayne Lane and would request that this level of local opposition is acknowledged and that the site is deleted from further consideration."

The Local Plan document states that: "Development of the site, taken as a whole, would have a high landscape impact, as the site is quite substantial and southerly parts of the site fall within the AONB with high inter-visibility, this would be a significant constraint in development."

You can have your say on the East Devon Local Plan here.

Read more:

EDDC Local Plan: Residents to hold community consultation as historic village at risk