Winkleigh Plan Full pdf-March 2019 compressed

“Ancientroots,
futurefoundations”

Pre-SubmissionDraft(Regulation14)Febuary2019

WINKLEIGH

NEIGHBOURHOODPLAN

2018to2031

Foreword:AliceTurner,ChairWinkleighParishCouncil

Introduction pg.5

WhatisaNeighbourhoodPlan? pg.5

HowthePlanwasPrepared pg.6

AboutWinkleighandthePlanarea pg.6

TheNorthDevonandTorridgeLocalPlan pg.7

andnationalplanningpolicy

SustainableDevelopment pg.8

TheStructureoftheWinkleigh pg.9

NeighbourhoodPlan

PolicyThemes pg.10
EnvironmentandResources pg.25
Housing,CommunityLife&Wellbeing pg.38
TheEconomy pg.45
Transport,TravelandMovement pg.53
DeliveryandImplementation

Appendices pg.57
AppendixA:Housingneedandaffordability
definitions.

AppendixB:Maps: pg.58
StrategyMap pg.59
WinkleighAirfield

2 PARISHMAP

“IwouldliketocommendtheParishCouncilandWinkleigh
NeighbourhoodPlanGroupforallthehardworkthathasgoneinto
preparingthisDraftNeighbourhoodPlan.NeighbourhoodPlansare
importantingivinglocalpeopletheopportunitytodevelopashared
visionfortheirneighbourhood,shapingthedevelopmentandgrowth

ofthelocalareainlinewithcommunityneedsandprioritiesby
beingtakenintoconsiderationalongsidetheLocalPlanandother

materialconsiderationswhenassessingplanningapplications.
Thus,Iwouldurgeallmembersofthecommunitytotake
thetimetoreadandrespondtotheconsultationso
thattheplantrulyrepresentstheviewsoftheParish.”

TheRt.Hon.GeoffreyCoxM.P.

“Iam pleasedtoseethisdraftPlanbeingpublishedfor
consultationandIhopelocalresidentswilltake

thetimetoreaditandrespondtotheconsultation.
TheNeighbourhoodPlanforWinkleighwillhelpshapethe

growthandfuturedevelopmentofthevillageandIhope
residentswillsupporttheprinciplesofthisplan.”

DevonCountyCouncillor,Andrew Saywell

“AsthenewDistrictCouncillorin2015Ifeltstronglythatour
ParishshouldhaveaNeighbourhoodPlan.Therewasalreadyan
excellentVillageDesignStatementwhichcouldbeusedandsomuch
workhadbeenundertakenitseemedwrongtowastethisopportunity.
Aformercouncillortookupthechallengeandnowcouncillorsand
parishionershaveworkedtogethertopreparethisPlanforconsultation.
IcongratulateallwhohavespentmanyhoursworkingonthisPlan,
pastandpresent,andfeelconfidentthatfuturegenerationswill

benefitfrom it.”

TorridgeDistrictCouncillor,MrsBettyBoundy

3

Foreword

NeighbourhoodPlanscomeoutoftheGovernment’sdeterminationto
ensurethatlocalcommunitiesarecloselyinvolvedinthedecisionswhich
affectthem.TheWinkleighNeighbourhoodPlanhasbeendevelopedto
establishavisionfortheParishandtohelpdeliverthelocalcommunity’s
aspirationsandneedsfortheplanperiod2018–2031.Onceadoptedour
NeighbourhoodPlanwillbeastatutorydocumentthatwillbeincorporated
intothedistrictplanningframeworksandwillbeusedbyTorridgeDistrict
Councilwhendeterminingplanningapplications.

TheParishCouncilwouldliketothankthemembers,bothpastand
present,oftheNeighbourhoodPlanGroupforallthetime,expertise
andenthusiasm thattheyhavebroughttothegroupwithoutwhich
wewouldnothavetheplanyouseetoday.Thanksareduetoall
thosewhotookpartinthepreparationoftheCommunityPlan
2014-2024(2014),andtheVillageDesignStatement(2016)which
havehelpedform thefoundationsoftheNeighbourhoodPlan.

TheParishCouncilisalsogratefulforthehelpandtheengagement
ofmanyothersintheparishwithoutwhichitwouldnothavebeen
possibletoproducethisNeighbourhoodPlan.

Cllr.AliceTurner

ChairofWinkleighParishCouncil

4

Introduction “OurvisionisfortheParishin2031tobean
inclusive,economicallysustainablecommunity,
1.Winkleighhasexperiencedconsiderablechangeanddevelopmentoverthepast
20years.Whilstnewhousinghastransformedthelookofthevillage,itseconomic withdevelopmentcontributingtoasense
performance,employmentandwageratescontinuetolagbehindnationaland ofplaceandimprovedqualityoflife,providing
regionalaverages.DespitethisWinkleighisavibrantandcohesivecommunity,with
astrongsenseofidentity.Therehasbeenstronginterestlocallyindevelopingplans arangeofhousingforpeopleofallagesand
toinfluencehowthevillageisevolving,includingaParishPlan(2005),aCommunity incomes,whilstrespectingthecharacterofthe
Plan(2014),andaVillageDesignStatement(2016).ThisNeighbourhoodPlan
(identifiedastheNPthroughoutthisdocument)buildsontheseandnowsetsouta areaandprotectingitsvaluableheritage
boldvisionfortheParishwhichaddressesthechallengeofenablingWinkleighto andenvironment.”
buildonitsstrengths–itsenvironmentalassets,itshistoryandheritage-whilst
deliveringsustainableeconomicandsocialopportunitieswhichwillallowittothrive 5
andgrowforthebenefitoflocalpeople.

WhatisaNeighbourhoodPlan?

2.TheLocalism Act(2011)introducedNeighbourhoodPlanninginEngland,giving
communitiestherighttoshapetheirownfuturedevelopment.ANeighbourhood
PlanisaplanningdocumentwithlegalstatuswhichgivesthecommunityofWinkleigh
theopportunitytosetlocalplanningpoliciestobeconsideredwhenplanningdecisions
aretakenbyTorridgeDistrictCouncil(TDC).Winkleigh’sNP,onceadoptedbyTorridge
DistrictCouncil,willbepartofthestatutorydevelopmentplanalongsidetheNorth
DevonandTorridgeLocalPlan.

3.NeighbourhoodPlansmustalsoalignwithnationalplanningpolicydescribedinthe
NationalPlanningPolicyFramework(2018)(NPPF).TheNPPFemphasisessustainable
developmentandidentifiesthreecriticalelementsfortheachievementofthis:an
economicrole,contributingtoastrong,responsive,competitiveeconomy;asocialrole,
supportingvibrantandhealthycommunities;andanenvironmentalrole,protecting
andenhancingournatural,builtandhistoricenvironment.

How thePlanwasPrepared.

4.ThisPlanhasbeenbuiltuponextensiveconsultation,discussionandoutreachwiththelocalcommunity.Thisisdetailedfullyintheseparate
ConsultationStatement.In2016,WinkleighParishCouncil(WPC)agreedtodevelopaNeighbourhoodPlan(NP)andin2017WPCappliedtoTDCto
nominatethelandareaoftheParishasaNeighbourhoodPlanningboundary.ThiswasapprovedonMarch6,2017(the“designationdate”)anda
workinggroupbegantheprocessofdevelopingtheNP:furtherdetailisprovidedintheseparateBasicConditionsStatement.

5.ThefoundationdocumentsidentifiedintheIntroductionwerebaseduponwidespreadconsultationanddetailedanalysisoftheneedsoftheParish.
TheseidentifiedthekeyareasofconcernforlocalpeoplewhichhavebeentakenforwardinthisPlan.AninitialNPframeworkdocumentwasmade
availableelectronicallyandasummarydocumentwidelycirculatedin2017toresidentsoftheparishandtoexternalbodies.Followingthistherewas
detailedconsultationwithplanningofficersatTorridgeDistrictCouncilandexternal,independentadvicewassoughttoensurethePlanalignedwith
nationalplanningguidance.AsurveyoflocalbusinesseswasundertakeninMarch2018andexpertconsultantscommissionedtoadviseon
environmentalandtrafficmanagementaspectsofthePlan.SinceMay2017WPChasreceivedmonthlyprogressreportsandhasapprovedeach
stageofitsdevelopment.FurtherdetailaboutthisworkisprovidedintheseparateConsultationStatement.

AboutWinkleighandthePlanArea

6.WinkleighParishiscentredonahill-topvillagesituatedintheheartofDevon.Itisathrivingvillagewithanactivecommunityandagoodrangeof
localservicesandfacilities.ItliesinthetransitionzoneoftheUNESCONorthDevonBiosphereReserveandispartoftheNatureImprovementAreaof
theTorridge.ItisidentifiedasaLocalCentrewithintheNorthDevonandTorridgeLocalPlan,anditactsastheadministrativecentreformany
surroundingparishes.Winkleighhasarichhistory:itgaveitsnametoa“Hundred”,anancientdivisionofashire;itwasrecordedintheDomesdayBook
(1086);anditsannualfairwascharteredin1262.Developmentwithintheparishoverthecenturieshasbeenprimarilydrivenbychangesinagriculture,
andeventodaypastoralandarableagricultureremainakeylocalsourceofemploymentandadeterminantofitscharacter.

7.TheonlyothersettlementintheParishisthehamletofHollocombe,tothenorthofWinkleigh.Itisasmall,dispersedcommunityofsome50
households,nestlingonthesideofthehilloverlookingHollocombeWaterandthewoodedtributaryvalleysoftheRiverTaw.Themostnotable
economicactivityinHollocombeisagriculture,specificallytherearingofgame-birds.Therearenolocalservicesorphysicalcommunityassetswithin
Hollocombe.

6

TheNorthDevonandTorridgeLocalPlanandnational
planningpolicy

8.TheNorthDevonandTorridgeLocalPlan(NDTLPorLocalPlan)wasadopted
on29October2018.TheLocalPlansetsoutthelong-term vision,strategiesand
policiestoguidehownorthernDevonwilldevelopintheperiodupto2031.The
strategicaimsoftheLocalPlanaretodeliveravibranteconomy,aworld-class
environment,abalancedhousingmarketandmixedcommunitieswherethere
isanexcellentqualityoflife.TheLocalPlanprovidesaseriesoftopic-based
strategies,place-basedstrategiesandallocationsalongwithasuiteof
developmentmanagementpoliciestohelpdeliverandaidthedetermination
ofplanningapplications.

9.TheLocalPlanidentifiesWinkleighasaLocalCentre–partofanetworkof
townsandvillagesthatform aprimaryfocusfordevelopmentacrosstherural
area.ItprovidesaSpatialStrategyforWinkleigh,policyguidancefor
developmentatWinkleighAirfield,andallocateslandnorthofChulmleighRoad
asasitetodeliverresidentialdevelopmenttogetherwithacarparktoserve
thevillage.

10.ThisNPisalignedwiththeobjectivesandpoliciesoftheLocalPlanand,by
addingmorelocallyrelevantdetail,supportsandencouragesitsrealisation.
Significantly,asnewhousingdevelopmentapplicationshavebeensubmitted
sincetheLocalPlanwasdrafted,thisNPreflectsthesechanges.ThisNPis
consistentwiththegovernment’sNationalPlanningPolicyFramework(NPPF),
andtheBasicConditionsStatementattachedtothisNPsetsouthowour
policiesadheretonationalplanningpolicy.

7

SustainableDevelopment

11.TheNationalPlanningPolicyFramework(2018)(NPPF)statesthatthepurposeoftheplanningsystem istocontributetotheachievementof
sustainabledevelopment.Itstates“…theobjectiveofsustainabledevelopmentcanbesummarisedasmeetingtheneedsofthepresentwithout
compromisingtheabilityoffuturegenerationstomeettheirownneeds”(NPPF,p.5,para.7).AttheheartoftheNPPFisapresumptioninfavour
ofsustainabledevelopment.
TheNPPFidentifiesthreeinterdependentoverarchingobjectivesforsustainabledevelopment:

•Aneconomicobjective
•Asocialobjective;and
•Anenvironmentalobjective

12.Theinterdependencyofthesethreeobjectivesmeansthatinordertoachievesustainabledevelopmentthereneedstobepositiveimprovementsin
allaspectsofthenaturalandbuiltenvironment,aswellascreatingagoodqualityoflifeforthecommunity.Consequently,plansanddecisionsmust
reflectthelocalsituationanddevelopmentmustbedesignedinawaythatdeliverspositiveoutcomes.

13.TheNDTLPdescribessustainabledevelopmentatthedistrictlevelandhasbeenthesubjectofasustainabilityappraisaltomeettherequirements
ofEUlegislation.ThisNPhasbeen‘screened’byconsulteestoseeifitscontentsalsorequireappraisal.ThisprocessconcludedthattheNPdoesnot
impactonenvironmentalassetsprotectedbytheEU,anddoesnotsubstantiallyalterthepatternoflandusesetoutintheLocalPlan(orbygrantof
planningpermission).Itdoesnotthereforerequireafullsustainabilityappraisalofitsown.

14.Winkleigh’sroleasaLocalCentremeansithasbeen,andwillcontinuetobe,afocusfordevelopmenttoservethelocalcatchmentarea.More
recently,developmentproposalsofasignificantscalehavebeengrantedplanningpermission.Thecommunity’svisionforsustainabledevelopment
envisagessmaller-scaledevelopment,tomeettheneedsoftheimmediatearea,alongsidecomplementarygrowthinservicesandinfrastructure.
Shoulddevelopmentatasignificantscaleproceed,thenthisplandescribespolicieswhichseektointegratethesedevelopmentseffectivelyintovillagelife.

15.TheNDTLPsetsoutsustainabledevelopmentprincipleswithinPolicyST01,andthisstrategicpolicyinfluencesthecontentofsubsequentpoliciesin
theplan,includingkeydevelopmentmanagementpolicies(PoliciesDM01-DM06).Theycovertheessentialcriteriathatalldevelopmentmustmeetin
ordertohavesupport–issuessuchasamenity;environmentalprotection;pollution;drainage;access;andparking.

8

TheStructureoftheWinkleighNeighbourhoodPlan

16.TheNeighbourhoodPlanisdividedintofourthemeswhichreflecttheconcernsofthecommunity.Thepresentationandcontentofeachtheme
followsaconsistentpath,comprising:

• Ashortdescriptionofthebackgroundfacts,evidence,andcommunityviewsregardingthekeyissues;
• Ourobjectivesforthetheme-whatweareseekingtoachieve;
• TherelevantNorthDevonandTorridgeLocalPlanpolicies;(forthefullpolicywordingreadersarereferredtotheLocalPlan)
• TheNeighbourhoodPlanpoliciesthatarebeingproposed.

Thefinaltheme,DeliveryandImplementation,describeshowtheplanwillbeimplementedandproposesamonitoringmatrixforuseby
deliveryagencies.

9

PolicyTheme:EnvironmentandResources

ER1.ThissectionoftheNeighbourhoodPlandealswith:
•ournaturalenvironment
•thehistoric,culturalandbuiltenvironmentofWinkleigh
•sustainableuseofresourcesintheParish

Theevidenceandapproachtopolicy:ournaturalenvironment

ER2.Thenaturalenvironment:KeyFacts

•TheParishfallswithintheNorthDevonBiospheretransitionzone,wheretheobjectiveistoprovidea‘livinglaboratory’fortestingand
demonstratingsustainabledevelopmentonasub-regionalscale.

•NaturalEnglandhasidentifiedoneSiteofSpecialScientificInterest(SSSI)withintheParishatPopeHouseMoor–awetgrasslandwithrush
pasture,fenmeadow,andwillowcarr.

•Thereare8CountyWildlifeSites,whicharedesignatedareasofsubstantivenatureconservation,thelargestbeingthe61ha.ofCulm grassland
andrushpastureatHollocombeMoor.

•TheAncientWoodlandInventoryidentifies4areasofancientandsemi-ancientwoodlandatChappleCopse;atthemedievaldeerparkof
WinkleighWood;HollocombeWood;andWoodrobert’sWood,Hollocombe.

•TheParishBiodiversityAudit(2009)identified123exampleswithintheParishoflegallyprotectedandnotablespecieswithintheParish.The
statutoryandnon-statutorydesignatedsites;thetributariesoftheRiverTaw,thewethabitatsprovidedbyCulm andmarshygrassland;the
speciesrichancienthedgesandwetditches;andtheopenspacesofWinkleighAirfield,collectivelyproviderichanddiverseenvironmentsfora
varietyofprotectedandrarewildlife,floraandfauna.

•TheParishhasnolandscapesformallydesignatedfortheirvalue.However,ithastwolandscapecharactertypes:thenorthoftheParishis
farmedlowlandmoorandCulm grassland;tothesouth,itisdescribedasupperfarmedwoodedslopes.

10

ER3.Residentsvaluethelocalenvironment,especiallythepeaceandtranquillityofthearea.Aclearmajorityoflocalpeopleconsultedsupported
conservingandenhancingthelandscapeandwildlifeinplanningpoliciesandwantedmoreinformationaboutthese.AstheParishhaschanged,there
hasbeenconcernthatmoredevelopment,changesinlandmanagementandnewnationalagriculturalpoliciesplacepressureonhabitats.Thereisa
desirelocallyfornaturalenvironmentstobemoreaccessibletothepublicandconcernaboutthestateofhedgerowsandtheirmanagement.TheParish
hasanactiveBiodiversityGroupthathasundertakenlocalprojects,suchastreeplantingandwildlifesurveys.Itsactivitiescomplementthepoliciesset
outinthisplan.

ER4.Communityfeedback,andthestrategicprioritiesofotheragenciessuggestsakeyissuefortheNPistoensurethatdevelopmentdoesnoterode
thebiodiversity,habitats,landscapesandcharacteroftheenvironment,andthatassetsoflocalvalueandinterestareprotected,enhancedand
sensitivelymanaged.Thisisanimportantchangeinemphasis.ThisNPseeksdevelopmentthatminimisesenvironmentaldamage,provides
environmentalbenefitsandmitigatesanylosses.Developmentneedstobetrulysustainableifnetgainstotheenvironmentaretobedelivered.
Nationally,theGovernment’sEnvironmentPlanindicatesastrongerapproachtothenaturalenvironment,basedontheconceptofsafeguardingand
improvingour‘naturalcapital’andembeddingan‘environmentalnetgain’principlefordevelopment.ThisisreflectedintheNPPF:

“Planningpoliciesanddecisionsshouldcontributetoandenhancethenaturalandlocalenvironmentbyminimising
impactsonandprovidingnetgainsforbiodiversity,includingbyestablishingcoherentecologicalnetworksthatare
morenresilienttocurrentandfuturepressures.”

TheseprinciplesunderpintheLocalPlanandthisNP.

ER5.Inaddition,thereareimportantlocalandregionalstrategieswhichguidedevelopmentinthisarea.TheDevonLandscapeCharacterAssessment
aimstoprotectthefeaturesoftheCulm areasuchasopenskylines,hilltopchurchesandvillages,wellmanagedhedgerows,farmland,andunimproved
‘culm grassland’.TheNorthDevonBiosphereStrategyforSustainableDevelopment2014-2024,basedaroundthecatchmentareasoftheTawand
Torridgerivers(withWinkleighwithintheReserve’s‘TransitionZone’),showshowsustainabledevelopmentcanbeachievedinourarea.TheLocalPlan
hasstrongpoliciestoprotectthenaturalenvironment,reflectingtheprioritiesoftheNorthDevonandTorridgeBiodiversityActionPlan,andtheDevon
GreenInfrastructureStrategy.

11

TheNorthDevon&TorridgeLocalPlan ER8.KeyLocalPlanpolicies:

ER6.TheNDTLPcontainsstrategicpoliciestosafeguardthenatural PolicyST14:Enhancingenvironmentalassets–seekstoconserveand
environmentfrom degradationorloss,andtoenhanceitwherever enhancelocaldistinctiveness,includingtranquillity;protectsand
possible.ItrecognisesthedistinctivenessoftheDistrict’swildlife, enhancesthelocallandscape
habitats,landscapeandtranquillity,anditssensitivitytochange.
Environmentalenhancementisarequirementfordevelopmenton PolicyST15:Conservingheritageassets–appliestothehistoric
theairfield,wherehabitatandlandscaperestorationcouldhelp dimensionofthelandscape
supportitsimportanceforwildlife.
PolicyDM02:Environmentalprotection–safeguardsagainstlightpollution
Objectivesforthenaturalenvironment
PolicyDM08:Biodiversityandgeodiversity:Developmentwillcontribute
ER7.TheNPobjectivesforthenaturalenvironmentare: toanetgaininbiodiversityandgeodiversitywherepossible

1.Thesafeguardingandprotectionofourenvironmental PolicyDM09:Safeguardinggreeninfrastructure
assets,particularlylocallyvaluedresourcesthatmaynot
bestatutorilyprotected. PolicyDM14:–Ruraleconomy–proposalstorespectthecharacterand
qualitiesofthelandscapeandthesettingofsettlements/historicassets
2.Toembedaprincipleofnetenvironmentalgaininto
proposalsthatcomeforwardintheParish.(Whilethisis PoliciesWIN/WIN01/WIN02:PoliciesforWinkleigh–coversprotectionand
anobjectiveofLocalPlanpolicyST11, enhancementofnaturalandbuiltenvironmentassets;restorationand
moredetailisgiveninPoliciesthroughouttheNP). enhancementofthelandscapeontheairfield;provisionofcommunity
woodlandonlandallocatednorthofChulmleighRoad;retentionofmature
3.TosafeguardthedistinctivelandscapeoftheParishand boundarytreesandappropriatenewplantingtoenhancebiodiversity.
thesettingofWinkleighandHollocombe,enhancingit
whereopportunitiesarise.

4.Torealisetheenvironmentalpotentialoftheairfieldfor
landscape,habitatandbiodiversityimprovement,while
recognisingitshistoricsignificance
(seealsotheEconomytheme)

12

Policyforthenaturalenvironment

ER9.TheParishhasoneSSSIatPope’sMoor,and8CountyWildlifesitesthataremapped,along
withotherenvironmentdesignationsontheDevonCountyCouncilEnvironmentViewer.
https://new.devon.gov.uk/environment/environmental-maps
TheNDTLPhaspolicieswhichprotectsitesofconservationinterestandprotectedspecies,
accordingtotheimportanceoftheirdesignation.Publicconsultationshowedthatthereisconcern
abouttheplaceswhereprotectionisweaker,notablythosesiteswhichshelterspeciesthatwhile
notstatutorilyprotectedarevaluedlocallyandaddtothebiodiversityofthecountryside.The
Parishhashadabiodiversityauditandhedgerowsurveywhichprovideimportantinformation
aboutlocalassets.

ER10.ManytypesofdevelopmentoccurintheParishandtheirimpactonthenatural
environmentwillvaryaccordingtothescaleandnatureofthedevelopmentproposed.
Communityconsultationdemonstratedconcernaboutthelossofbirdsandmammalsthatare
notstatutorilyprotectedbutarepartofthetapestryofcountrylife.Evensmall-scale
development,suchashouseextensions,mayimpact,forexample,throughlossofgroundcover
anddrainage,andaffectprotectedspeciessuchasbats.Alternativedevelopmentsolutionsthat
aremoreenvironmentallyfriendlymaybepossible.Ideally,alldevelopmentshouldcontribute
toanetgaininbiodiversity.

ER11.Futuredevelopmentproposalsshouldhaveregardtothelocallyvaluednaturalassetsof
theParishandplanfortheirprotection,enhancementandongoingmanagement.Proposals
shouldreferencetheParishBiodiversityAudit,speciesinformation(DevonBiodiversityRecords
Centre),hedgerowsurvey,andhaveregardtothe“greenfeatures”identifiedonthestrategy
map.Developmentwillbeencouragedtodeliveranenvironmentalnetgainanddemonstrate
howthiswillbeachievedaspartoftheplanningapplicationprocess.Designandaccess
statementsshouldshowhowthesemattershavebeenconsideredbydemonstratingan
understandingofthenaturalenvironmentofthesite(anditssetting)andwhatalternative
approacheshavebeenconsideredforitsfuture.Forsignificantdevelopment,theDEFRAmetric
toassessnetenvironmentalgainandtheacceptabilityofdevelopmentshavinganimpacton
biodiversityshouldbeused,assetoutintheNDTLP.

13

PolicyENV1:NaturalCapital ER12.Thehistoric,culturalandbuilt
environmentofWinkleigh:Keyfacts
Futuredevelopmentproposalsshouldhaveregardtothelocallyvaluednaturalassetsofthe
Parishandplanfortheirprotection,enhancementandongoingmanagement.Proposalswillbe •ThecentralpartofWinkleighwas
expectedtoshowhowthenaturalenvironmenthasbeenconsideredaspartofthedesign designatedaconservationareain1971
process,identifyanyopportunitiestodeliveranenvironmentalnetgain,anddemonstratehowit
willbeachievedaspartoftheplanningapplicationprocess. •Thereare76statutorilylistedbuildingsand
structures,includingthechurchandthe
Developmentapplicationswillbeexpectedto: twocastlemounds
•Respecttheshape,slopeandaspectofthesite(s)inquestion,andevidencethisthrougha
designandaccessstatement(whererequired).Whereapplicable,applicationsshouldalso •Therearemanyolderpropertiesandlocal
demonstratethecontributiondevelopmentmakestolandscapecharacter,thespatial featureswhichcontributetocharacterand
relationship(bothinvisualandecosystem terms)ofthesitetoadjacentfieldsandthebuilt-up distinctiveness
areasofWinkleighandHollocombe.
•Undertakeappropriatewildlifeandbiodiversityauditsofthesiteanddemonstratehowthe •ShuteLane,andgreenlanesbetween
resultshaveinformeddevelopmentdesign. RiddestoneFarm andGraysbridgeFarm,
•Demonstratehowexistingtreesandhedgeswouldberetained,whereverpossible,alongwith andbetweenTawGreenandBullowBrook
importanthabitats(suchaspondsandstreams). areoldtrackwaysandwildlifecorridors
•Identify,safeguardandenhance‘greenhighways’forwildlife.Theopportunitytoextendthe
networkof‘greenhighways’tobenefitwildlifeshouldbetakenwhereverpossible. •Thewartimehistoryoftheairfieldisan
•On“greenfieldsites”plantnewboundariesinawaythatcomplementsexistingfield importantelementoflocalheritage
boundariesandpatterns,withnewhedgesandbanksbeingcreatedwherevertheyarelost
(forexample,tocreateaccessroads).Nativespeciesshouldbeused. •Theclusteredsettlementform ofWinkleigh
•Definecurtilageboundariesusingnatural,localmaterials,withapreferencefornewstone, istypicaloftheCulm ridgelandscapearea
earthandhedgebanksporoustowildlife,andminimaluseofwoodenfencing.

Referencesforlocalwildlifeinclude:DevonBiodiversityRecords;TheParishBiodiversity
Audit;theHedgerowSurvey,andlocationsshownontheproposalsmap.
Referencesforlandscapeandsettinginclude:Devon’sLandscapeCharacterAssessment;
NorthDevonandTorridgeLandscapeCharacterAssessment.

14

Evidenceandapproachtopolicy:Thehistoric,culturaland
builtenvironmentandapproachtopolicy

ER13.ThecommunityviewsWinkleighasaspecialplace,wherethememories
andlivesofresidentsarewrittenintothelandscape,buildingsandcommunity
eventsthatoccurthroughouttheyear.ThesemakeWinkleighadistinctiveplace
withaclearidentity.MuchofwhatmakestheParishspecialisreflectedinthe
VillageDesignStatement,firstpublishedin1996andupdatedin2016.This
documentprovidesdetailedbackgroundaboutWinkleighandthedistinctive
architecturalanddesignelementsthecommunitywishtoseeretainedand
reflectedinthenewdevelopment.VisualappraisalofthevillageofWinkleigh
identifiedsixareaswithdifferingcharacteristicsshownonpage16.

ER14.Residents(andvisitors)clearlyvaluethetraditionalfeelofWinkleighand WinkleighConservationArea
Hollocombeandthecountrysidesurroundingthem.Communityfeedbackshows
concernaboutnewdevelopmenterodingthisandthatrecentbuildinghadfailed Developmentboundary
totakecuesfrom thetraditionallayoutofthesettlements,reflectbuildingstyles Conservationarea
orpromoteeasywalkingroutesbetweenneighbourhoods.Protectingolder
buildingsfrom inappropriatechangewasconsideredimportant,especiallyinthe 15
ConservationAreaandthetraditionalcoreofthevillage (shownonillustration
overlay).Usingmoresustainablebuildingmaterialsand“futureproofing”new
homeswasalsoanaspiration.

16

TheNorthDevon&TorridgeLocalPlan Objectivesforthehistoric,culturalandbuilt
environment
ER15.TheLocalPlancontainspoliciestosafeguardandenhance
heritageassets,accordingtotheirstatus,withthemostimportant ER17BuildingontheVillageDesignStatement,thepoliciesof
assetsbeinggiventhegreatestprotection. ourNeighbourhoodPlanaim to:

ER16.KeyLocalPlanpolicies: •Safeguard,conserveandenhancetheimportantbuildings
PolicyST04:Improvingthequalityofdevelopment–supportssustainable andcultural
developmentthatrespondstothecharacteristicsofthesite. assetsintheParish(listedbuildings,ancientmonuments,
archaeology;
PolicyST15:Conservingheritageassets–conservesandenhancesthe boundarystonesandotherartefactsofinterest)
historicqualityoftheenvironmentandlandscape;thepolicycoversthose
locallyimportantassetsnotformallydesignated;protectslocallyimportant •Supportdevelopmentthatreflectsthetraditionalheritage
buildingsthatcontributetocharacterandidentity;seeksmorepublicaccess ofbuildings,
to/educationaboutheritageassets. theirlayout;relationshiptoothernearbybuildingsandis
sensitivetoits
PolicyDM04:Designprinciples–seekstocreatesuccessfulplacesthat locationinthewiderlandscape
respondtothechallengeofclimatechange.
•Supportdevelopmentthatuseslocalbuildingmaterials
PolicyDM07:Historicenvironment–whereproposalsaffectaheritageasset andfinishes
oritssetting,aheritagestatementmustbesubmitted;energyefficiency
improvements/renewableenergyinstallationstoheritagebuildingsare 17
supportedwheretheydonotharm theasset.

PoliciesWIN/WIN01/WIN02:PoliciesforWinkleigh–coversprotectionand
enhancementofnaturalandbuiltenvironmentassets;restorationand
enhancementofthelandscapeontheairfield;provisionofcommunity
woodlandonlandallocatednorthofChulmleighRoad;retentionofmature
boundarytreesandappropriatenewplantingtoenhancebiodiversity.

Policiesforthehistoric,culturalandbuiltenvironment

ER18.WhilethelandscapeoftheParishisnotstatutorilyprotected,thecharacterandfeatures
thatmakeitimportantarerecognisedintheDevonLandscapeStrategy.Thehilltoplocationof
Winkleighisanimportantfeatureofthelandscape,withthechurchtowerandclusterof
housingassociatedwiththesettlementbeingadominantviewfrom thesouthandeast.The
Culm measuresareanimportantcharacteristicofthegeographyofWinkleigh.Hollocombeis
anancientsettlement,comprisingHollocombeTownandthelargerhamlet,situatedalonga
hillsideandnearanetworkofhiddenvalleysdrainingtotheRiverTaw.Ithasimportant
woodlandhabitats,anecologicallydiverseareaofopenmoorland(aCountyWildlifeSite),and
importantlocalviewsandvistas.Manyofthefactorsthatinfluencethecharacterofthe
landscapefalloutsidethescopeoftheNP(forexample,farmingpracticesandland
management)butthisPlanseekstoensurethatasdevelopmentoccursthecountrysidein
whichitsitsisprotected(andenhancedwherepossible)andthatdueregardisgiventothe
historicandculturalsignificanceofbothbuiltandlandscapeassets.

PolicyENV2:Thesettingofnew developmentintheParish

Newdevelopmentshould:
•HaveregardtotheviewsacrossopencountrysidebothintoandoutofWinkleighandHollocombe.ExistingdistanceviewstoDartmoorshouldbe
retainedandnewvistasfrom thedevelopmentsiteshouldbecreatedwherepossible.
•Ensurethatthelocation,scale,massing,height,anddesignofnewdevelopmentinWinkleighenablesthechurchtoremainthedominantbuildingin
distanceviews.
•EnsurethatnewdevelopmentonthesouthsideofWinkleighcreatesavariedalignmentofbuildingsandrooftops,toavoidreinforcingthehorizontal
alignmentofSouthernhayandtheroadtothesouthofthevillage.
•Usematerialsthatmaintaintheoverallimpressionoflight-colouredbuildingswhenviewedfrom adistance.
•Minimiseexternallightingandlightspillage,tomaintainthedarknightskiesoftheParish.

18

ER19.Theconservationareacoversmostoftheareaidentifiedasthe‘traditionalvillagecore’intheVillageDesignStatement.Mostofthelistedbuildings
inthesettlementarefoundhere.Thebuildingsthatarenotlistedareusuallytraditionalindesignandaddtothecharacterofthevillage.Elementsof
craftsmanshipandskillarealsoevident,forexample,thatchedroofs;traditionalironwork;carpentry;signs.Thevillagepump,erectedtocommemorate
the1832Reform Act,andtheredtelephoneboxintheSquarearealsodistinctiveelementsofthevillagescene.

PolicyENV3:TheconservationareaandtraditionalvillagecoreofWinkleigh

DevelopmentintheconservationareaandtraditionalvillagecoreofWinkleighshouldrespectandhaveregardtotheestablished
settlementform.Indoingso,developmentshould:

•SeektomaintainacontinuousfrontageintheSquareandalongthefeederroads
•Ensurethatthefrontageofreplacementbuildingsorinfilldevelopmentfollowstheexistingbuildingline
•Ensurethatanyaccesstotherearofbuildingsisprovidedthroughpassagewaysdesignedasanintegralpartofthebuilding
•Recognisethatgenerally,newdevelopmentintheolderpartofWinkleighwillbeofahigherdensitythanelsewhere
•Respectthesettingandcharacteroftheconservationareaandanynearbylistedbuildings

PolicyENV4:Appearanceandstyle

Developmentshouldbesimpleandplaininappearance,sensitivetothecontextofthesiteandthecharacteristicsofanybuildingsnearby.Attention
shouldbepaidtothealignmentandproportionofwindowsanddoors,andtolocalstyleanddetailing.Preferencewillbegiventotheuseoflocal
materialsortheirequivalent,wherethisreflectsthestone,colourwashedrendering,andslatetypicalofWinkleigh.Patternbook,standardised
designshouldbeavoided.Wherelargerdevelopmentsareproposed,thereshouldbeanemphasisonneighbourhoodcreation.Allplanning
applicationsshouldreferencetheVillageDesignStatementanddescribehowitsguidancehasinformeddesign.

Inprinciple,theuseofinnovativeandcreativedesignissupportedinappropriatelocations,whereitrespectsthescale,massanddistinctiveness
ofitslocationandthenaturalandbuiltenvironment.

19

PolicyENV5:Craftsmanship

Smallfeaturesofheritagevalueandcraftsmanshipshouldbeprotectedwhereverpossible.Inallnewdevelopmenttheopportunityshouldbe
takentointroducecraftsmanshipwhichenhancesbuildingsandtheirsetting.Thiscouldbethroughdetailingonthebuildings,landscapingor
boundarytreatments,orthroughappropriateartworkandstreetfurniture.Whentheopportunityarises,newcobconstructionwillbeencouraged,
forexampleinsmallbuildingssuchasshelters,andinwalling.TheVillageDesignStatementwillbeusedbytheParishCouncilasitsguidance
documentwhenassessingthecraftsmanshipelementofplanningapplications.

20

Resources ER21.Thesustainableuseofresourcesliesattheheartof
measurestoprotectagainstclimatechange.Despitescientific
ER20.Resources:KeyFacts consensuspuplicopiniondiffersaboutthecausesofclimate
•Winkleighhouseholdshaveacarbonfootprint20% higherthanthe change.However,theGovernmentiscommittedundertheClimate
UKaverage,largelyduetodomesticheating,transportfuel ChangeAct2008toan80% reductioningreenhousegasemissions
consumptionandabsenceofmainsgas by2050comparedto1990levels.Drivingdownlevelsoffossilfuel
•Theaveragecombinedgasandelectricitybillisaround£1,300.In use,enablinghigherlevelsofgenerationfrom renewable
201127% ofhouseholdsspentmorethan10% oftheirincomes technologiesandplanningtoensurethefutureresilienceof
heatingtheirhomes.Peoplearemorereliantonexpensiveoiland communitiestochangesintheclimatearekeyaspectsof
propanegas,bothofwhicharefossilfuels.Burningoffossilfuelsis Governmentpolicy.
widelyrecognisedascontributingtoclimatechange.
•Thetakeupofdomesticrenewableenergy(solarpvandsolarhot SustainableEnergyUse:Evidenceand
water)islowerinTorridgethanelsewhere. approachtopolicy
•Oneconsequenceofourchangingclimateisincreasedquantityand
intensityofrainfall.Wheredevelopmentoccurstherateofrunoffis ER22.Thewayweliveisdependentontheresourcesthe
oftenincreased. environmentprovides.Modernlifestylescreateimpactsthat
•TorridgehassomeofthelowestrecyclingratesinDevon,although causeenvironmentalproblems(suchaswaste,pollution,noise,
measuresarebeingtakentoaddressthis.Whilewastemanagement carbonemissions)anderodethecapacityoftheplanetto
liesoutsidethescopeoftheNeighbourhoodPlan,ensuringthereis supportlife.TheParishhasnomainsgasandhouseholdsand
adequatespaceinnewdevelopmentforrecyclingfacilitiesandfor businessesaredependentonelectricity,oil,bottledgasandbulk
storageofbinsetccanbecovered(seePoliciesH2andH6). tankL.P.G.Thetake-upofdomesticrenewableenergy(solar
photo-voltaic,solarthermal)isalsolowerinTorridgethan
elsewhereinDevon.Thehousingstockisold,lessefficienttoheat
andthisplacesfurtherstrainonhouseholdenergybills.Public
consultationdemonstratessupportforlowcarbonhousingand
whilstcurrentlegislationdoesnotrequirebuildingstobemore
energyefficientthanbuildingregulations,inthehousingsection
ofthisNPsupportforlowcarbonhousingissignalled.

21

ER23.Transportistheotherlargeuserofenergy.Withlimitedpublic Objectivesforsustainableuseofenergy
transportresidentsaredependentonprivatetransport.Aswellasbeing
amajorcontributortocarbonemissions(andaffectingairquality),the ER26.TheobjectivesoftheNPare:
risingcostoffuelisaconcerntothecommunity.
•Topromotethegenerationofrenewableenergyand
TheNorthDevon&TorridgeLocalPlan heatwhereitsupportsthecommunity

ER24.TohelpachievetheGovernment’stransitiontoalowcarbonfuture, •Toimprovetheenergyefficiencyofexistingbuildings
theLocalPlancontainspoliciesthatsupportmeasurestoprotectagainst, •Topromotethetake-upofmeasurestogenerate
andcopewith,climatechangeandthedeliveryofrenewableenergyand
heatatappropriatelocations. energyattheindividualbuildinglevel,andsaveenergy
inbuildings
ER25.KeyLocalPlanpolicies: •Topromotelowcarbontransport
PolicyST02:MitigatingtheimpactonClimateChangedevelopmentwillbe
expectedtomakeapositivecontributiontowardsthesocial,economicand Therealisationoftheseobjectiveswillbeassistedbyproject
environmentalsustainabilityofnorthernDevonanditscommunitieswhile workatthelocallevel,particularlyinthepromotionofenergy
minimisingitsenvironmentalfootprint savingmeasures.

PolicyST03:Adaptingtoclimatechangeandstrengtheningresilience–
coversminimisationoffloodriskandrunoff;sustainableurbandrainage
systems;useofrenewableresources;mitigatingtherisksarisingfrom
climatechange

PolicyST16:Renewableenergyandheat–supportsonsiterenewable
energy/lowcarbontechnologiesandcommunityledschemessubjectto
arangeofenvironmental,landscape,heritageandamenitycriteria.The
cumulativeeffectofproposalswillalsobeconsidered

PolicyDM07:Historicenvironment–setsoutthecircumstanceswhere
renewableenergy/energyefficiencyimprovementswillbesupportedin
historicbuildings

22

PoliciesforSustainableEnergy

ER27.ThisNPseekstoplayanactiveroleinasustainableenergyfuturebysupporting
boththeinstallationofindividuallowcarbontechnologiesandthosethatbenefitthe
community.Inthefuturetheremaybearoleforrenewableenergyinstallationsthatare
communityownedforwhollylocalbenefit.Acommunityownedschemeenablesthe
retentionoffinancialgainwithinlocaleconomies,reductionofcarbonemissions,
educationalandinvestmentopportunities.

ER28.Otherproposalslikelytocomeforwardincludeindividualinstallationstosupport
farm businessesandfarm diversification.Duringthelife-timeoftheNPtheremayalso
beproposalsforsmallclustersofturbinesorlargercommercialschemes(exploiting
differentrenewableenergygeneratingtechnologies)intheParish.Whenthisoccurs,
thesewouldonlybesupportedifgenerationprovidessomeform ofcommunitybenefit
proportionatetothesizeandscaleoftheschemeconcerned.Withanyrenewable
energygeneratingschemethereisatrade-offtobemadebetweentheenvironmental
gainstobemadefrom theinstallation(s)andthepotentiallossofamenityandimpacts
onthelandscapeandnaturalenvironment.

ENV6:Sustainableenergygeneration 23

Proposalsforrenewableenergy/heatinstallationsforindividualbuildingsorenterprisesandrenewableenergy
technologiesthatbenefitthecommunity(tosupplyheatforlocalhousing,businessesandcommunityfacilitiesortosupportfarm
businesses/diversification),willbesupportedwheretheydemonstratethat:

i) thesitingandscaleoftheproposeddevelopmentisappropriatetoitssettingandpositioninthewiderlandscape(includingany
cumulativeimpacts)andthatanyadverseimpactsonadjacentlandusersorimportantnatural,historical,archaeologicalor
biodiversityassetscanbemitigated

ii) thatanyfuelrequiredforgenerationisfrom sustainablesourcesandcanbedeliveredtothesitewithoutundueenvironmentalimpact.

Whereproposalsarereceivedforrenewableenergytechnologiesthatdonothavelocalbenefits,communitybenefitsofanappropriatescale
willbesoughttohelpdeliverenergyefficiencyimprovementsinhomesandcommunitybuildings.

Sustainableenergyandtransport

ER29.Proposalsandpoliciestopromotepedestrianand
cycleuseareincludedintheTransport,Traveland
MovementthemeoftheNP.Technologiesthatsupport
theuseofhybridfuelsandelectricvehicleshavebecome
morecommon.Electricvehiclesrequiremorefrequent
re-chargingcomparedtothemileageachievedinapetrol
ordieselvehicle.Currently,theyaremoresuitedto
urbanareasandshortjourneys,butifmorecharging
infrastructureexisted,thiscouldchange.TheGovernment
ismovingtowardsminimisingtheuseoffossilfuelsin
transport,anditisimportanttofutureproofourlocal
transportopportunitiesbyincludingpubliclyaccessible
vehiclechargingpointsinnewdevelopmentwhere
appropriate(seePolicyT6).

24

PolicyTheme:Housing,Community,Life Housing:Theevidenceandapproachtopolicy
andWellbeing
H3.KeyFacts
H1.TheParishhasexperiencedsignificantchangeoverthelast20years,
withsignificanthousebuilding,mostnotablythenewestatesclustered •Affordabilityisasignificantissue.In2016theNational
aroundtheedgesofWinkleigh.Levelsofnewdevelopment,andits HousingFederationestimatedthegrossannualincome
impact(particularlyontraffic)werethemostcontentiousissuesduring neededtopurchaseahouseinTorridgewas£50,995,
publicconsultation. withtheaveragehomecosting£223,102.Theaverage
homecostis10.7timesgreaterthanaverageearnings
H2.Residents’opinionsabouttheneedfornewhousingaredivided. (£20,779).
MostofthoseinfavourthoughtitshouldbelocatedinWinkleigh.Large
scaledevelopmentwasonlysupportedby3% ofrespondents,withthe •Themostrecenthousingneedssurvey(August2014)
majorityfavouringsitesoflessthan15newhomes–itfollowsthatmost identified35WinkleighhouseholdsregisteredonDevon
supportedsmall-scalesites,infill,singleplotdevelopmentand HomeChoice.
conversions.Therewasconsiderableconcernaboutthescaleof
developmentinrecentyearsanditsimpactonthecommunity–interms •Between1997and2011,132newhomeswerebuilt,
oftheamountofhousing,thelackofconnectivityandwalkingroutesand mostlyonthreelargesites–KingsMeadow,ElmsMeadow,
thedesignofhousingwhichwasoftenthoughttobemoresuitedtoan andWestcotsDrive.
urbanthanaruralenvironment.Manythoughtthepressureofnew
developmentonkeyfacilitiessuchasroads,shops,villageparking,and •TDCanticipateaneedforatleast2,200newhomesin
essentialinfrastructuresuchastheschoolanddoctors’branchsurgery ruralareasupto2031.InWinkleigh,theLocalPlan
wasunsustainable. allocatesasiteforabout55newhomesonlandnorth
ofChulmleighRoad.

•Outlineplanningapprovalhasbeengrantedforschemes
atEggesfordRoad(23units);landsouthofTownsend
Farm (55Units);andKingsleyPlasticssite(70units).

25

H4.Housingaffordabilitycontinuestobeanissue:ofthosewhothoughttheywouldrequireaffordablehousinginthenext5years,halfrequired
propertytorentratherthanbuy.Therewassomesupportfordevelopmentofcommunityownedhousing,throughacommunitydevelopmenttrust.
ThekeyhousingissuesfortheNPtoaddressaretherefore:
•EnsuringnewhousingissuitedtotheParish,intermsofthetypeandmixofhousingandensuringitcreatessustainableneighbourhoods
•Howtosecureasmuchaffordablehousingaspossible,particularlytorent.
•Ensuringinvestmentininfrastructurekeepspacewithdevelopment(coveredinthesectiononinfrastructureandimplementation).

26

TheNorthDevon&TorridgeLocalPlan

H5.WinkleighhasbeendesignatedasaLocalCentreintheNDTLP.TheplanforeseestheLocalCentresoftheDistrictasthefocusformodestgrowthto

supporttheneedsofthewiderruralarea.TheLocalPlanexpectedtoseeanincreaseof10% inthehousingstockoftheParishoverthelifetimeofthe

Plan(to2031).TheParishCouncilsupportsamoremodestgrowthof5%.However,Torridgeisrequiredtomaintaina5-yearhousinglandsupply

and,ifthereisashortfall,thentheParishmaybeaskedtoprovidemorehousingland.Inthesecircumstances,thepresumptioninfavourofdevelopment

withinnationalplanningpolicycouldresultinthegrantingofpermissionfornew

housingonsiteswhicharenotidentifiedintheLocalPlan. H8.KeyLocalPlanPolicies:

H6.ThepoliciesoftheLocalPlancovermanyconcernsofWinkleighresidents. PolicyST07:SpatialDevelopmentStrategyforNorthern
Asidefrom allocatinglandfornewhousing,theLocalPlandescribestherole Devon’sRuralArea
ofWinkleighinthewiderruralcontext;restrictsnewhousinginthe PolicyST08:ScaleandDistributionofNewDevelopmentin
countryside;providesforaproportionofaffordablehousingondevelopment NorthernDevon
sites;seekstoachieveamixofhousetypesandtenurestomeeteveryone’s PolicyST17:ABalancedLocalHousingMarket
needs;andaimstoimprovethequalityofdevelopment. PolicyST18:AffordableHousingonDevelopmentSites
PolicyST19:AffordableHousingonExceptionsSites

PolicyST19A:StarterHomesExceptionsSites

PolicyST20:ProvidingHomesforTravellerCommunities

PolicyDM04:ImprovingtheQualityofDevelopment

Housingobjectives PolicyWIN:WinkleighSpatialStrategy
PolicyWIN02:LandNorthofChulmleighRoad
H7.ThePoliciesofourNPPlanaim to: PoliciesDM01-DM06setbasicconditionsfordevelopment,
•Providehousingthatmeetstheneedsofresidentsandrespectsvillage suchassecuringsafeaccess;drainage;impactonneighbours
character(assetoutintheprinciplesoftheVillageDesignStatement) DM23:Residentialdevelopmentindefinedsettlements
•Facilitatetheprovisionofaffordablehousingtomeetlocalneed withoutdevelopmentboundaries
•Promotedevelopmentthatcreateshealthyneighbourhoods,successfully DM24:RuralSettlements
integratedintothevillageform DM25:Residentialextensionsandancillarydevelopment
•Explorehownewinitiativessuchascommunitydevelopmenttrustscould DM26:Replacementdwellingsinthecountryside
helpdeliverhousingforlocalneed DM27:Re-useofruralbuildings
•Safeguard,supportandenhancecommunityassetsimportantforthe DM28:Ruralworkeraccommodation
socialandcommunitylifeofahealthyfutureParish DM29:Farmerfamilyattachedaccommodation
•EnsureanysignificantdevelopmentrequiredintheParishtomeetashortfallin

housinglandsupplyoccursinasustainablewayanddeliverscommunitybenefit

27

Housingpolicies

H9.TheLocalPlandefinesadevelopmentboundaryforWinkleigh.Withintheboundary
developmentisacceptableinprinciple(subjecttoitmeetingthecriteriasetoutintheNDTLP
policiesDM01-DN06).Outsidetheboundarydevelopmentproposalsaredeterminedagainst
policiesforruralareasandthecountryside.ThehamletofHollocombedoesnotliewithinthe
developmentboundary.Here,theonlyacceptableformsofdevelopmentarelikelytobethose
exceptionslistedintheLocalPlanandPolicyH1,orwherenationalpermitteddevelopment
rightsgrantpermissionforcertaintypesofdevelopmentorchangesofuse.

H10.Thecommunitywishtoseemoretargeted,smallscaledevelopment,tomeettheidentified
needsofthevillage.Whilstthereareopportunitiestoprovideaffordablehousingon
developmentsitesthroughpoliciesintheLocalPlan,thecommunitymayalsobeabletoassist
throughlocalactionandbyidentifyinglandownerswillingtomakesitesavailableatagricultural
value.TheParishCouncilhasbeenexploringhowacommunitydevelopmenttrustmight
deliversitesforaffordablehousing.Similarly,theremaybeothersituationswhere
developmentisrequiredtobenefitthecommunity.

H11.Thepriceofhousinginthearea,combinedwithlowwagesintensifiesdemandformore
affordablehousing.TheexistinghousingstockoftheParishhasahigherproportionof
detached,largerproperties.Ifaspiranthomeowners,particularlyfirst-timebuyers,aretogain
accesstothemarketthenitisimportanttoretainsmallerpropertiesaswellastoplanto
increasethestockofaffordableandentrylevelhousing.

H12.ThepoliciesoftheNDTLP(PolicyST18)require30% ofhousingonallocatedsitestobe
affordable,orafinancialcontributionbroadlyequivalent.TheNDTLPalsosupportsthe
developmentofaffordablehousingandstarterhomesoutsidethedevelopmentboundary,
subjecttoarangeofcriteriathatrestrictthelocation,scaleandoccupancyofdevelopment
(PoliciesST19andST19A).Thecommunitywillrelyontheaffordablehousingpoliciesofthe
LocalPlan(andanySupplementaryPlanningGuidanceonthetopic)tosecureaffordable
housingintheParish.Thescale,mix,andtypeofhousingrequiredtomeettheaffordable
housingneedwillbeinformedbylocalhousingneedsurveysandinformationfrom Devon
HomeChoice.

28

PolicyH1:New housingandthedevelopmentboundary PolicyH2:Sustainabilityandhousing

Outsidethedevelopmentboundarysupportwillnotnormallybegivenforthe Wheredevelopmentisacceptable,supportwillbe
creationofnewhomes.However,exceptionally,developmentwillbesupportedwhere: givenfor:

•Developmentisvestedinacommunitydevelopmenttrust •Self-buildproposals,particularlywherethey
•Conversionsecuresthefutureofexistingbuildingsthatareoflocalorhistoricvalue, deliveraffordablehousingorstarterhomes

withoutsignificantalterationorrebuild •Measurestoincorporateenergysaving/efficiency
•Inthecaseofreplacementdwellingsorextensionstodwellings,the measuresandrenewabletechnologiesabovethe
currentbuildingregulationsstandard
replacement/extensionisnot
substantiallylargerthantheoriginalhomeorincreasesthefloorspace •Housingthatisadaptabletoarangeoffamily
disproportionately andlivingsituations
•Thereisanessentialneedforaruralworker(includingfarm workers)to
liveat,ornear,theirplaceofwork
•Thedevelopmentprovidesaffordablehousingtomeetevidencedlocalneed.
Seeaffordabilitydefinition:AppendixA

Withinthedevelopmentboundary,supportwillbegiveninprinciplefor
thedevelopmentofsmallsitesofupto15dwellings,andforinfill
developmentthatmakeseffectiveuseofland.

H13.Aswellasaneedforaffordablehousing,thereisdemandforhousingtomeettheneedsoflowtomiddleincomehouseholds.The
compositionoffamilyunitsisalsochanging;therearemoresinglehouseholds,familieswithsingleparents–and,coupledwiththerise
inhousepricesthishasledtomanymorepeoplerequiringassistancetobuyproperty.Thereisgrowinginterestinselfbuildhousing.
ThepopulationoftheParishisalsoageing.OverthelifetimeofthePlanthereislikelytobeaneedforhousingtomeettheneedsofthe
lessmobileandhousingthatcanbeadaptedtomeetthechangingcircumstancesofthehousehold.Thereisalsoroom fordesignthat
showcasesconstructiontechnology,particularlywherethisresultsinhomeswithlowerrunningcosts.Thisisparticularlyimportantfor
thisParish,withitslowerthanaverageincomes,highproportionofhouseholdsinfuelpovertyandrisingenergycosts.

29

H14.Typically,recentdevelopmentinWinkleighhasbeenofa PolicyH3:Creatinglinksbetweenneighbourhoods
cul-de-sactype,withlittleopportunitytowalkthroughandbetween
adjacentneighbourhoods.Pedestrianaccesstothevillagecentre Theconnectivityandpermeabilityofnewdevelopmentwithinor
andotherkeyservicescanalsobepoor.Thereareopportunitiesto adjoiningthedevelopmentboundaryshouldbemaximisedto
improvethissituation,andtoensurefuturedevelopmenttakesthis givereadypedestrianandcycleaccesstoTheSquareandother
intoaccount,regardlessofwhetherthedevelopmentisonallocated keyvillagefacilities(suchastheschoolanddoctors’surgery)and
sitesorsitesthatareunforeseenbytheLocalPlan. toencouragenon-motorisedmovementbetweenneighbourhoods.

H15.Theappearanceofnewdevelopmentinthevillageisnotjusta PolicyH4:Sitemaintenance
matterofdesign.Thewayinwhichspaceisusedhasamarked
impactonthedegreetowhichaplaceispleasanttolivein.Parked Theongoingmaintenanceoflandscaping,playareasand
cars,lackofresponsiblemaintenanceforpublicopenspaceand publicspacescreatedinnewdevelopmentshouldbeprovided
insufficientstoragespaceforday-to-dayitemssuchasbinsand forbymeansofacommutedpaymenttoWinkleighParishCouncil
bicyclescanoftendetractfrom whatisotherwiseagoodliving oranagreednominatedmanagementcompany.
environment.Sitemaintenanceshouldaim tofosterpridein
neighbourhoodsandacollectivesenseofstewardship.Parkingis
dealtwithinthesectiondealingwithTraffic,TransportandMovement.

PolicyH5:Storage

Allnewdevelopmentshouldmakeadequateprovisionforthestorage
ofday-to-dayitemssuchasbicycles,recyclingandrefusebins.
Storageshouldbedesignedinaspartofthedevelopment,either
withinthebuildingitselforinappropriateexternalstoragefacilities.

30

LandallocatedintheNorthDevonandTorridgeLocalPlan

H16.PolicyWIN02oftheLocalPlanallocateslandtothenorthofChulmleighRoadforupto55dwellings.
Thedevelopmentisalsorequired,interalia,toprovideacarparkforabout20carsatthesouthernend
ofthesite;alandscapedbufferzonetoprotectthesettingofCourtCastle;communitywoodlandof
0.6Ha;andsafepedestrianandcycleaccess.Theallocatedsiteiswelllocatedclosetothevillagecentre.
Thereisalsothepotentialtocreatelinkstoothernearbydevelopment,facilities(suchastheSports
Centre,playingfields,andallotments)andtoadddiversityofdesigntothevillagescene.

H17.Thesitealsooffersthechancetoanticipatefuturetransporttrendsand,specifically,toencourage
morelowcarboncaruse.Includingapubliclyaccessiblevehiclechargingpointonthesite(possiblyas
partoftheproposedcarpark)wouldcreateanopportunityatamid-pointinDevonforelectricvehicles
tore-charge,aswellasprovidingalocalfacilitytoencourageelectriccaruptake.

PolicyH6:LandallocatedintheNorthDevonandTorridgeLocalPlan

Developmentofthislandshouldincludethefollowing:

•Aconvenientlylocated,publicly-accessible,vehiclechargingpointwithintheplannedcarpark

•Safeandconvenientpedestrianandcyclelinkagestothevillage,playingfields,andKingsMeadow.Toretainoptionsforthefuture,thelayoutshould

includeprovisionforlinkstoadjoiningland

•Thesiteshouldbedevelopedwithpedestrianmovementasapriority.Ideally,pedestrian(indicativepedestrianroutesareshownonthemap)and

cyclelinkagesshouldbededicatedroutesseparatedfrom traffic

•Existingbanksandhedgeboundariesshouldbereinforced,particularlyalongtheA3124,asanalternativetofencingofdomesticcurtilages

•Anyhedgesandbanksremovedforvehicleaccessshouldbere-instated

•Buildingswithdesignsoftraditionalproportionsaresought,withalayoutthathelpscreateacohesiveneighbourhood.A“villagestreet”designcould

createinterestandispreferabletoanopencul-de-saclayout.Suchadesignshouldaim todrawwalkersalongthestreetinawaythatisboth

interestingandattractive

•Accessibleopenspacefortheuseandbenefitofthewholecommunityshouldbeacentralfeatureofthenewdevelopment 31

Sustainabledevelopmentandthe5-yearhousinglandsupply

H18.TorridgeDistrictCouncilisrequiredbyGovernmenttomaintaina5-yearsupplyof
readilyavailableanddeliverablehousinglandandtheLocalPlancurrentlyenablesthis.
Ifthereisashortfall,however,andhousingsupplycannotbemet,additionallandcan
bereleasedinlocationsjudgedtobesustainable.

H19.PriortotheadoptionoftheLocalPlan,theroleofWinkleighasasmallruralservice
centremadeitanattractivelocationforadditionalhousingtohelpmeetTorridge’s
shortfallinhousinglandsupply.Planningpermissionsforasignificantamountof
development(upto125newdwellings)havebeengrantedonlandoutsidethe
developmentboundary,tothesouthwestofthevillage.Thereisawidespread
perceptionlocallythatindividuallytheseapplicationspaylittleregardtotheoverall
patternofdevelopment,failtofactorintheconsequentialimpactonthevillageof
increasedtraffic,donotreflecttheinfrastructurerequirementsforthevillage,nor
considerholisticallythewiderrangeofcommunitybenefitsthathousingdevelopment
coulddeliver.Asstatedearlierinthissection,thecommunitysupportslimited
developmentandsmallerhousingsitesforaround15dwellingsorless.

H20.ThisNeighbourhoodPlanhasleftthesiteswithplanningpermissionoutsidethe
developmentboundary,takingtheviewthatmoresustainablesitesexisttoserve
Winkleigh’slongterm housingneed.Theoutstandingpermissionsmay,ormaynotbe
takenup.Iftheareatothesouthandwestofthevillageremainsundeveloped,then
furtherdevelopmentwouldnotbesupportedintheform itisproposedatpresent.

H21.PolicyH7setsouttodescribetheprinciplestoguideanysignificantfuture
unplanneddevelopmentinWinkleighthatisrequiredtomeethousingneed.
Itcanapplytothefollowingsituations:

•Wherethereareplanningapplications(forsitesof15+dwellings)onlandoutsidethe
developmentboundary

•Wherethereissustaineddeveloperinterestinlandtothesouthandwestofthe
village,betweenHatherleighRoadandTownsendHill

•Wherethereisscopetoinfluencethedetailedplanningapplicationstageofextant
planningpermissionstothesouthandwestofthevillage

32

PolicyH7:Developmenttomeetthe5-yearlandsupply

Ifsignificantareasofland(eitherindividuallandparcels,oranumberoflandparcels)outsidethedevelopmentboundaryarerequiredtomeetthe
District’s5-yearlandsupply,thefollowingprinciplesshouldapply:

•Thesustainabilityoftheproposalsshouldbetested,atbothasitelevelandforanycumulativeimpactonthecommunity
•Developmentshouldadopta“masterplan”approachwhereverpossible,linkingtogetherlandparcels(orphasesofdevelopment)andintegratingthem

seamlesslyintothepedestrian,cycleandroadnetworkofthevillage
•Developmentshouldnotmaketrafficcongestionandparkinginthevillageworse,andprovideforanynecessarytrafficcalmingandpedestriansafety

onroads
•Developmentshoulddeliverarangeofcommunitybenefitstomeettheadditionaldemandarisingfrom growth,includingaffordablehousing;open

space;additionaleducationalandsocialinfrastructure

Inparticular,landtothesouthwestofthevillage,ifdeveloped,should:
•Havealayoutanddesignthatrecognisesthepotentialforthisareatobephasedandplannedcomprehensively,especiallywithregardtothefuture
roadlayoutandpedestrianlinkages.Considerationshouldbegiventocreatinganalternativeroutefrom HatherleighRoadtotheA3124through
thisarea,avoidingTownsendHill
•Withinthedesign,incorporatetrafficcalmingmeasuresandtrafficcalming/publicrealm improvements,bothwithinanydevelopmentandonthe
surroundingapproachroads,thatcreateapriorityenvironmentforpedestrians
•Provideforsafeandconvenientcarandbusparkingfacilitiestoservetheareaandtheprimaryschool,includingaprioritycrossingtotheschoolsite
forpedestrians.Parkingandassociatedhardsurfacingshouldbewellscreenedbyplanting
•Ensureanyaccessfrom TownsendHillminimisesthelossofhedgeandbank.Anynewaccesspointwillbeframedbynewhedgesandbanks,merging
withthestrongnorth-southboundaryalongTownsendHill
•Provideforreinforcednaturalboundarieswithinthesiteandadjacenttotheopencountrysidewithplantingandthecreationofnewhedgerows
ExistingRightsofWayacrossthesiteshouldberetainedandnewlinkscreatedtothese
•Planforabufferbetweenanybusiness/employmentuseandresidentialproperties
•Explorethepotentialforimprovedcommunityinfrastructure,includingnewmedicalfacilitiesandthere-routeingofStagecoachbusservicesvia
busparkingfacilities(toencourageaparkandchangefacilityandgivebetteraccesstobusservicesforhouseholds)aspartofsitedevelopment

33

CommunityLife&Wellbeing

CL1.Winkleighhasathrivingcommunitylife.Thereisagoodrangeofgroups,societiesand
otherorganisedactivitieswhichbringpeopletogether.Thesearemainlyfocussedaround
thethreesignificantcommunitybuildings:VillageHall;CommunityCentre;andSportsCentre,
althoughthechurchandchapelsarealsoimportant.Inadditiontoweeklyandmonthly
markets,thereisaregularmemorycafé,youthclub,amusicgroupinHollocombe,anda
thrivingfootballclubandallotments.LinkingresidentstogetheristheactiveWinkleigh
Societywhichproducesthequarterlyjournal“DistinctlyWinkleigh”.Themaineventbringing
thecommunitytogethereachyearisWinkleighFair,heldeveryJuly.

KeyLocalPlanPolicies
CL2.TheLocalPlanhasstrongpoliciessafeguardingexistingcommunityassetsand
leisurefacilitiesandseekingcontributionsfrom developmenttowardsnewor
enhancedfacilities.Inparticular:

PolicyST12:TownandDistrictCentres–safeguardslocallyimportantshops,services
andcommunityimportantfacilities

PolicyST22:CommunityServicesandFacilities–safeguardsexistingfacilitiesagainst
loss,andsupportsenhanceddelivery/newfacilities

PolicyST23:Infrastructure–seeksdevelopercontributionstowardsprovisionof
physical,socialandgreeninfrastructure

PolicyDM05:Highways–protectsandenhancespublicrightsofway

PolicyDM09:SafeguardingGreenInfrastructure–safeguardsagainstlossofpublic
openspaces

PolicyDM10:GreenInfrastructureProvision–setsstandardsforprovisioninnew
development

PolicyWIN:WinkleighSpatialStrategy–socialandcommunityfacilitiesaretobe
34 safeguardedandenhanced

ObjectivesforCommunityLifeandWellbeing

CL3.TheobjectivesoftheNPare:
•Toensurecommunitylifecontinuestothrivebysafeguardingexistingcommunityfacilitiesandassetsagainstloss
•Toensurenewfacilitiesareprovidedtomeetthechangingandgrowingneedsofthecommunity
•Tocreateanenvironmentwhereaccesstothecountrysideandenjoymentofgreenspacecanbeenhancedifopportunitiesarise

CommunityLifeandWellbeingPolicies

CL4.Thechallengeasthevillagegrowsistosecurethefutureofcommunityassets,to
exploittheirpotential,andtodevelopnewinfrastructuretomeettheneedsofnew
residents.CommunityinfrastructureandleisurefacilitiesaresafeguardedintheNDTLP,
butthereisaparticularchallengeinWinkleigharisingfrom thewealthofcommunity
spaceavailable,itsfinancialviabilityandthechangingneedsofresidents.

CL5.Thehealthofresidentsisanimportantfactorinqualityoflife.Leisurefacilities
arecurrentlyfocusedontheplayingfields,justoutsideWinkleigh.Itisimportantthat
developmentoftheallocatedhousinglandtothenorthofthevillageprovidesasafe
pedestrianlinktothesportsfacilitiesandallotments.Ironically,foracommunity
nestledinthecountryside,accesstowalksandtogreenspacesisrestricted.Thereare
fewcommunaloutdoorareas,noparks,andparticularlyaroundWinkleighvillage,poor
accesstopublicrightsofwayorbridlepaths.Unlikemanyurbanareasthereare
comparativelyfewlocalopportunitiesforlocalpeopletogainthebenefitsofwalkingfor
healthorotheroutdooractivities.Tacklingobesityandlackofexercise,particularly
amongstchildren,aremajorpublichealthissues.Newopenspaceshouldbeprovided
aspartofplanneddevelopmentontheallocatedhousingsitenorthofChulmleighRoad
(seePolicyT6).

35

CL6.Ithaslongbeenanaspirationofthecommunity
tocreateafootpathbetweenthevillageandWinkleigh
woods,anareaofopenaccesswoodlandandapopular
dogwalkingdestination.ShuteLanealsooffers
potentialtolinktheresidentsofWestcotsDriveand
ElmsMeadowtotheschoolandvillagecentre.
Hollocombeismorefortunate.Ithasanetworkof
publicrightsofwayclosetothesettlement,connecting
peoplewithlocalwoodlandandthecountryside.

CL7.TheWallingbrookHealthCentre(inChulmleigh)
hasabranchsurgerylocatedinabungalowon
Southernhay.Shoulddevelopmentopportunitiesin
thevillagebetakenuptherewillbeasignificantrise
inthenumbersseekinghealthcare.TheParish
Council,inliaisonwithhealthservicecommissioners
andproviderswillkeeptheneedforimproved
facilitiesunderreview(seealsoPolicyH7).Theissue
ofdevelopercontributionsforkeyinfrastructureis
dealtwithinTheme5:DeliveryandImplementation.

36

PolicyH8:Communityassetsandinfrastructure

TheParishCouncilwillworkwithitspartnersintheParish,andthe
respectivemanagingbodiesofcommunityhallstosafeguardthem
againstlossandsecuretheirlonger-term futureforthebenefitof
thecommunity.Shouldtheeconomicsofretainingthree
communitybuildingsproveunsustainable,anyfundsrealisedfrom
therationalisationoffacilitiesshouldbeusedtoenhancethe
remainingcommunitybuildings(securingthebuiltfabricof
buildings,improvingenergyperformanceandupgradingthe
facilities).

PolicyH9:Accesstothecountrysideforleisure

Existingpublicrightsofwaywillbeprotectedandenhanced.
Opportunitiesshouldbetaken,subjecttotheimpactonadjacent
landusersandtheenvironment,toextendandlinkpublicrightsof
wayandcreatenewroutesparticularlywheretheylinktowellused
areassuchastheWinkleighSportscentreandplaying
fields/playgroundandWinkleighWoods.

37

PolicyTheme:TheEconomy Theevidenceandapproachtopolicy

E1.Whatlocalbusinessesandtheirownerswant: E2.WhatweknowabouttheeconomyofWinkleigh:KeyFacts
AcomprehensivesurveyoflocalbusinesseswasconductedinFebruary
2018tounderstandthefactorsencouragingandinhibitingbusiness •67% oftheWinkleighpopulationaged16-74are
developmentinWinkleigh.Itsconclusionswerethat: economicallyactive(2011Census)

•Winkleighneedsinvestmentinlightbusiness/industrialfacilitiesto •23% ofWinkleighresidentsover16havenoqualifications
encouragecompaniestomovetotheareaandprovideopportunities •Overathirdofeconomicallyactiveresidentsworkpart-time
forlocalpeople. •Atnearly22%,levelsofself-employmentaremorethan

•Thereissomeevidencethatoverthenext5yearslocalbusinesses twicethenationalaverage.
expecttoexpandbutveryfewadditionalworkerswillbeneeded. •Householdincomeislow-£22,559:thosewhowork

•Thosebusinessesbasedintheparishwanttostay,butthereis outsidetheParishearnmorethanthoseworkingwithinit.
concernthatconnectingmainroadsareinadequateforanincreased •TheeconomyofTorridgeisdominatedbyactivitieslinked
levelofcommercialtraffic.
totourism and/oragriculture,withahighincidenceof
•Thereisadesiretomaintainthecharacterofthevillageitself, poorlypaidandseasonalemployment.
througheffectivetrafficandparkingmanagement. •SmallemployersaredominantintheParishandthereisa
risingtrendofself-employment,part-timeworkingand
•Flexibilityinthedesignoffutureworkplacesiskey.Future micro-business.
employmentpatternsaredifficulttoanticipate,anddevelopment
proposalsshouldreflectthisuncertainty.Boundariesbetweenour
workandnon-worklivesareincreasinglyblurredandfuturedesign
ofworkspacesshouldacknowledgethis.

38

PotentialsitesforEmploymentandDevelopment

E3.WithintheparishtherearefourdesignatedGeneralEmploymentAreas(GEAs)orareasofEmploymentLandforcommercial/industrial
development:WinkleighAirfieldnorthoftheA3124,WinkleighAirfieldsouthoftheA3124;SeckingtonandWesternBarn.
E4.Withinthedesignatedemploymentareasthereislandavailableforcommercialdevelopmenttomeetforeseeableneeds,withoutdesignating
furtherlandintheopencountryside.TheAirfieldiscoveredbyaSiteDevelopmentBriefpreparedbyTDC.

TheNorthDevon&TorridgeLocalPlan

E5.TheLocalPlanhasavisionfortheeconomyofnorthernDevonthatisforadiverseandresilienteconomythatcanadapttochallengesandmaximise
opportunities,underpinnedbyanappropriatelyskilledworkforceandeffectiveinfrastructure.

39

E6.KeyLocalPlanpolicies:

PolicyST07:SpatialdevelopmentstrategyfornorthernDevon–identifiesWinkleighasaLocalCentre

PolicyST08:ScaleanddistributionofnewdevelopmentinNorthernDevon–0.9Haofadditionalemploymentlandistobeprovidedatlocal
centres

PolicyST11:Deliveringemploymentandeconomicdevelopment–supportsthegrowthoftheeconomythroughlandallocation,educational
andskillsdevelopment;hightechbusiness;modernisationofemploymentsites;andreuseofredundantruralbuildings

PolicyST13:Sustainabletourism –supportforayear-roundindustrythatdoesnotdamagenaturalorhistoricassets

PolicyDM12:Employmentdevelopmentattownsandvillages–supportseconomicdevelopmentwithinorjustoutsidethedevelopmentboundary,
tomeetidentifiedneedandwherethereisaninsufficientsupplyofsitesanddevelopmentcannotbeaccommodatedwithintheboundary

PolicyDM13:Safeguardingemploymentland–safeguardsallocatedsitesorbuildingscurrentlyinuseforemployment

PolicyDM14:Ruraleconomy–supportssmallscaleeconomicdevelopmentthroughconversionofbuildingsorsitesadjacent/wellrelatedto
settlements,orwherethereisafunctionallinktoagriculture,forestryorotherruralactivity

PolicyDM15:Farm Diversification-supportsfarm diversificationatanappropriatescalewhereitreinforcestheviabilityofafarm business

PolicyDM16:Equinedevelopment–supportsdevelopmentsubjecttoreuseofbuildingsorwherenewbuildingsareneeded,wellrelatedto
existingbuildings,andsupportdevelopmentsubjecttocriteria

PolicyDM17:Tourism andleisureattractions–Supportfordevelopmentofnew,expandedorrationalisedtourism,visitororleisurefacilities
subjecttoanumberofcriteria

PolicyDM18:Tourism accommodation–supportsdevelopmentinlocalcentres.Elsewheresupportisgivensubjecttocriteria.Occupancy
conditionswillonlyberemovedwhereevidenceshowstherestrictionisnolongerjustified

PolicyDM21:Localandruralshops–supportsdevelopmentofshopsupto250sqm (gross)toserveneighbourhoodorvillageneeds,and
ancillarytocountrysidebusinesses;safeguardsagainstlossoffacilities

PolicyWIN:Winkleighspatialstrategy–safeguardsexistingemploymentsites;supportsliveworkunits;supportssuperfastbroadband

PolicyWIN01:Winkleighairfield–allowsfor:environmentalimprovement;continuedagriculturaluse;B1,B2andB8uses;improved
pedestrianandcycleaccesswithinandacrosstheairfield

40

EconomyObjectives: Policiesforstrengtheninganddiversifying
theeconomy
E7.ThisPlanseekstomaximiseeconomicdevelopmentopportunities
consistentwiththeneedtopromotesustainableeconomicgrowthinour E8.Winkleigh’sresidentsworkinavarietyoflocations,many
ruraleconomy,tosafeguardneighbourhoodamenity,andtoprotectthe travellingoutsideoftheParishforwork.Theeconomyofthearea
environment.Theobjectivesare: isrelativelyweak,withfewlargeemployers,dependentonsmall,
localenterprises,agriculture,sole-traders,andhome-basedwork.
•Toimprovethelevelandvarietyofemploymentandeconomicactivity Localwagesarelowandearningsdatashowsthathigherearners
acrosstheParishbymakinglandavailableforbusinessdevelopmentand residentinWinkleighareusuallyemployedoutsidetheParish.
bypromotingtrainingandsupporttobusinesses,includingagriculture Substantialinwardinvestmentisunlikelyandsothefocusofthe
NPisonstrengtheninganddiversifyingtheeconomyandproviding
•Toseekoutopportunitiestoimprovetheskillsleveloftheworkforce opportunitiesfornewandemergingtypesofsmall-scaleeconomic
•TopromoteamixedeconomyacrosstheParishwhichdeliverslocalbenefit, activity.Keyiscreatingtheenvironmentinwhichnewenterprises
canexploitthepotentialoftheknowledgeeconomyandnew
bybuildinguponitsexistingstrengths,linksandconnections,andby technologyandcommunicationstoprovideemployment.The
supportingdevelopmentapplicationswhichdeliverthis NPsupportsdevelopmentwhichwouldprovideastimulusto
•Tosupportmeasureswhichmaintainandimprovetheeffectivenessand Winkleighorthewiderlocaleconomy,particularlywhereitoffers
vibrancyoftheVillage’sretailbusinesses,includingencouragingspending higherpaidemployment,trainingandpersonaldevelopment
tosupportlocalshopsandbusinesses opportunities.
•TopromoteappropriatedevelopmentatWinkleighAirfield,recognising
itspotentialforemploymentandenvironmentalenhancement,by E9.AnimportantsignalgivenbythisPlanistheenduring
workingwithTorridgeDCtoagreeandimplementarevisedSite importanceofagricultureandtourism asresilientfoundationsof
DevelopmentBrief oureconomy.Itisimportantthattheseindustriesaredriversfor
•ToimprovetheavailabilityofeffectiveICTandhigh-speedbroadband futuregrowthandthatthepotentialofon-line,modern
communications communications,anddigitaltechnologiesaremaximisedto
•TopromotethepotentialofWinkleighforsustainabletourism and enableopportunitiesintheseareastobeexploited.Additionally,
countrysiderecreation. thisNPrecognisesthatmoretraditionalareasoflocaleconomic
activitycanbesignificantlydevelopediftheyarealignedwithand
exploitthepotentialoftheknowledgeeconomy.Specifically,
sustainabletourism andcountrysiderecreationaregrowing
marketsinthispartofDevon.Thereisarichseam ofsmallcraft
andcreativebusinesseswhorequireflexibleresponsesto
workspaceneeds.

41

Safeguardingemploymentland PolicyE1:Safeguardingemploymentland

E10.WhilstcommercialinvestmentinlandandbuildinginWinkleigh LandidentifiedonmapsinappendixBwillbesafeguarded
remainsweak,thereiscontinuingpressuretoconvertlandandbuildings foremploymentuseorusesthatcomplementthelocal
whichhavehadaformercommercialpurposeintoresidentialfunction. economythroughtrainingandbusinesssupport.
GiventheeconomicrequirementsoftheParishtheNPreinforcesthe
safeguardingpolicyoftheLocalPlan(PolicyDM13)protectingeconomic
andemploymentassets,whilstindicatingfurtherflexibilityintermsofits
futurecommercialpurpose.TheareassafeguardedbyPolicyE1are
shownontheStrategyMap(appendixB).ThelowskillbaseoftheParish
suggestsagreaterneedforbusinesssupportandtrainingandproposals
thatdelivertheseoutcomeswillbesupported.

PolicyE2:New economicdevelopment

ThisNPsupports:

•Thedevelopmentofnewbusinesses,andtheexpansionofexistingbusinessesintheParish,wherethiscanbeachievedsustainably
•Developmentthatfurtherstheknowledgeeconomy,includingimprovedtelecommunicationsandICTinfrastructure,mixed-useand

purpose-builtlive-workdevelopment(1),whereitiscompatiblewithothernearbylandusersandwellrelatedtotheexistingbuiltup
area,orarepartofadesignatedemploymentarea.Theprimarypurposeoflive-workunitsshouldbetoprovideflexiblework-space,
thereforetheresidentialelementoflive/workdevelopmentshouldbeprovidedinsuchawaythatthefutureuseofthetotalfloorspace
forbusinessuseisnotcompromised
•Thedevelopmentandconversionoftraditionalbuildingswherethehistoricheritageissafeguarded
•Inallcaseslightingforsecurityandoperationalreasonsshouldbecompatiblewiththe“darkskies”objectiveforthispartofDevon

(1)Live-workunitsaredefinedas:Unitsoflivingaccommodation,whicharespecificallydesignedtoaccommodateworkfacilitiesfor
thoseresidingthere.

42

FutureuseofWinkleighAirfield

E11.WinkleighAirfieldisrecognisedasafocalpointforeconomicandemploymentopportunities
thatcouldcomplementandenhanceWinkleigh’sroleasalocalcentre.Theairfieldisasiteof
environmentalandhistoricalsignificanceandso,inadditiontosupportingappropriate
developmentthatmeetsalocalorwiderneed,itisrequiredthatdevelopmentenhancesits
environmentalassetsandconservesheritageassetsonthesite.Restorationandenhancement
ofthelandscapeanditscontinueduseforagriculturewhereappropriate,togetherwithaccess
improvements,arerecognisedobjectives.Theexpansionofexistingbusinessesandnew
developmentwithinareasdefinedinthedevelopmentbriefwillthereforebeacceptable
providingithelpstoachievethesegoals.

E12.Theairfieldisnotconsideredanappropriatelocationforresidentialdevelopment,orfurther
food-relatedretaildevelopment,asitisdetachedfrom thevillagewithitsrangeofservicesand
thiswouldleadtofurtherdisperseddevelopmentinthecountryside,contrarytonationalpolicy.

PolicyE3:WinkleighAirfield

TheNP:

•PromotesfuturedevelopmentatWinkleighAirfield,recognisingitspotentialforemploymentandenvironmentalenhancement,andcommitsto

workingwithTDCtoagreearevisedSiteDevelopmentBrief

•Supportsbusinessdevelopment,diversificationandexpansion(usesB1,B2,B8)onthissite

•Supportsusesthatimproveandenhancetheknowledgeeconomyand/orofferbusinesssupport,suchastraining,conferencefacilities,teleworking

andnetworkingsuites

•Willsupportwork/liveunits,orwherearesidentialunitisrequiredforsupervisory/securityreasons.Insuchcasestheaccommodationshouldbe

providedwithinthepremises(seealsoPolicyE2)

•Promotes,whereopportunitiesarise,safepedestrianandcyclelinkswithinandacrossthesite,andtothevillage

•Supportsmeasuresthatsafeguard,enhanceandimproveaccessto,andpublicunderstandingof,theWorldWar2heritageofthesite

•Requireslightingandboundarytreatmentsthatrecognisetherurallocationofthesiteandthedarkskiesdesignationofthearea

•Requiresappropriatelandscaperestorationandenvironmentalmeasurestoprotectthedistinctivecharacterofthesite,connectestablished

wildlifecorridors,preserveexistingwoodlandandenhancewildlifehabitatsforidentifiedspecies,includingbirds 43

Retailbusinesses

E13.Winkleighvillagehasarangeofshopsand
facilitiesprovidingday-to-dayneedsappropriate
tothesizeandscaleofthecurrentpopulation
whichitserves.AstheParishgrowsthereisa
needbothtopromoteWinkleighshops,services
andbusinesses,toencouragepeopletospend
locallyandtoensurethatthereissufficient
capacitytomeetfutureneeds.Currently,
opportunitiesforcentralvillageservicesto
expandarelimited.Asthevillagepopulation
growsadditional,small-scale,retaildevelopment
thatiseasilyaccessibleonfoot,which
complementsexistingprovision,andthatmeets
theneedsoftheresidentpopulation,isinvited.

PolicyE4:Retailbusinesses

WithintheSquarelocalshopsareprotectedfrom changeofuse.Developmentproposalsforchangeofusetonon-retailandnon-serviceuses
willonlybesupportedwheretheydemonstratethat:theyhavebeenmarketedforexistinguseforaperiodof12months;thereisnosignificant
harm tothelevelofservicelocally;andwherethereisnoreasonableprospectofthebusinesscontinuing.

Supportwillbegivenforadditionalsmall-scaleretaildevelopmenttoservethevillage,whereitiswithinoradjacenttotheDevelopmentBoundary,
wellrelatedtothebuilt-uparea,andofferssafeandconvenientaccessforpedestriansfrom withinthevillage.

44

PolicyTheme:Transport,TravelandMovement

EvidenceandApproachtoPolicy

T1.Transport:KeyFacts
•Transportaccountsfor25% ofenergyusedbyhouseholds
•Residentstravelfurther,onaveragetoaccessjobs,facilitiesandservices
•Carownershiplevelsarehigh
•ThereareregularbusservicesalongtheA3124.
•TheonlynearbyconnectiontotherailnetworkisEggesfordtrainstation,4milesaway,withoutacar-park
•ThefootpathnetworkintheParishandwithinWinkleighitselfispoorlydevelopedwithfewlinkagestoresidentialareas,andlittleconnectivity

T2.Winkleigh’slocationintheheartofDevonmeansitsresidentstravelinalldirectionsforwork,service,leisureandotheractivities.Manylocal
peoplealsodrivetothevillageforshopping,schoolandotherfacilities.ThevillagehasbusservicesalongthemainA3124.Thereisnopublictransport
toChulmleigh(wherethehealthcentreandsecondaryschoolarebased)ortorailstationsatEggesfordandMorchardRoad.Thevillageitselfisservedby
anetworkofsmallroadsandlanes,manyofwhichleadontoTheSquare.ThemainA3124isastrongboundarytothesouthandeastifthevillage;for
thoselivingalongEggesfordRoaditisalsoasignificantbarriertosafeandconvenientpedestrianaccesstothecentreofthevillage.Themainroads
presentaharshenvironmentcomparedtothemoreenclosedandintimatequalityoftheSquareanditsapproachroads.Hollocombeisservedbya
networkofsmall,singletrackruralroadswhichdivesteeplydownthehillsidewheremostofthepropertieslie.TheonlycyclerouteintheParishisthe
sharedsurfacealongsidetheA3124.

T3.Communitydiscussionshighlightedthefollowingissues:
•SpeedalongtheA3124,especiallypastthesportscentre,BarnstapleStreet,TorringtonRoad,TownsendHillandExeterRoad
•DangertoschoolchildrenandlocalmotoristsalongTownsendHillduetoexcessivespeedandvolumeoftraffic
•LackofadequateparkinginTheSquareandalongExeterRoad
•HGVsusingunsuitableminorroads
•Theimpactoftrafficonsafety,pedestrianconfidenceandtheabilitytocrossroads
•Theform ofrecentdevelopmentthatpaysnoattentiontopedestrianlinks,anddoesnotencouragewalkingroutesbetweenneighbourhoodsandto
keyfacilitiesandservices
•ThereisalongstandingdesiretofindadedicatedwalkingroutetoWinkleighWoods(seeCommunityLifesection)

Underlyingthesediscussionsareconcernsthat,asthesizeandpopulationofthevillagegrows,sotoowillthespeedandvolumeoftraffic, 45
andthatthiswillerodethecharacteranddistinctivenessofWinkleighandfurtherunderminethesafetyofpedestrians.

T4.TheParishCouncilcommissionedHamilton-BaillieAssociatestolookathowtheNPcouldtackletrafficandsafetyconcernsthroughreinforcinglocal
distinctiveness.Thisfoundthatthekeytodevelopingatrafficstrategylayinseekingwaystoreducespeeds,toraisedriverawarenessofthepresenceof
thevillage,andtofindwaytoretainandpromotehumanactivityandownershipofWinkleigh’sstreetscapesthroughacombinationofmeasures.

T5.Thepoliciesfortransport,trafficandmovementintheNPaim toimprovethepedestrianandcyclingconnectionsbetweenneighbourhoodsby
givingprioritytopedestriansandcyclistsovermotorisedtraffic;toreducethe‘strangling’effectofsurroundingthrough-routes;toreducetheseverance
ofpartsofthevillagefrom thecentre;tobringdowntrafficspeed;andtomanageparkingandcongestionmoreeffectively.Amajorfindingofthe
HamiltonBailliereportwasthatchangingdrivers’behaviourandresponsestothestreetscenewaslikelytobemoresuccessfulintacklingtrafficissues
thantraditionalengineeringsolutions(suchasone-waysystems,changestospeedlimits,largeroadjunctions).

TheNorthDevon&TorridgeLocalPlan

T6.TheLocalPlansupportsreducingtheneedtotravelbycaranddeliveringimprovementstoinfrastructureandserviceswherepossible.

T7.KeyLocalPlanPolicies
•PolicyST10:Transportstrategy–supportsthefunctioningofthestrategicroadandrailnetwork
(includingtheTarkaline);provideinfrastructuretoservicedevelopmentandregeneration;supportforpublicand
communitytransport;travelinterchanges;reducingthesocialandenvironmentalimpactoftraffic

•PolicyDM05:Highways–requiresalldevelopmenttohavesafeaccessandadequateparkingandlayouts(takingaccountofallusers);
protectionandenhancementofpublicrightsofway

•PolicyDM06:Parkingprovision–tobemadeaccordingtoanumberofcriteria.

•PolicyDM27:Reuseofruralbuildings–suitablehighwayaccessrequiredandthenetworkistobecapableofaccommodatingtheuse

•PolicyWIN:Winkleighspatialstrategy–provisionofvillageparkingfacilities;supportforimprovedtransport/infrastructureincludingtransport
linkstoEggesfordstation

•PolicyWIN01Winkleighairfield–improvedpedestrianandcycleaccesswithinandacrosstheairfield

•PolicyWIN02:LandnorthofChulmleighRoad–acarparkfor20cars;accessfrom theA3124;safepedestrianandcycleaccess

46

TheobjectivesfortheNeighbourhoodPlanarethereforeto:

•Changedriverperceptions,bymakingsmallchangesonthrough-routessothatthey“read”aspartofthevillage.Thiscanbe
tackledinitiallythroughaseriesofeasymeasuressuchasstreetfurniture,planters,theremovalofwhitelinesand,whereopportunity
arises,resurfacingtosignalprioritytopedestriansandcyclists

•Examinehowvillagegatewaysand“rat-runs”canbemodifiedtoslowtrafficandsignalthevillageenvironment,forexamplethroughthe
realignmentofcarriageways;surfacingmeasures;appropriatetrafficcalming,andthelocationanddesignofvillageandhighwaysignage

•EnhancetheenvironmentoftheSquare(attheheartoftheconservationarea),removal,relocationandsimplificationofsignageandnoticeboards;
enhancementofthepumpanditssetting;andtheroadresurfacingtoindicateappropriateparkingareas

•Improvepedestriannetworksandcreatenewwalkingandcyclingroutestokeyservices,betweenneighbourhoodsandtotheopencountryside

T8.DevonCountyCouncil,asthedesignatedHighwaysAuthority
forthisarea,areresponsibleforthehighwayinfrastructure
andmaintenance.TheParishCouncilwillliaisecloselywith
theCountyCounciltohelprealisethepoliciesoftheNP.

47

GeneralTransportPolicies

DesignandTrafficManagement
T9.Currentlythevillagecentreandenvironsareheavilyorientatedinfavourofcarusage,withtheneedsofpedestrianssubordinatetothoseof
drivers.Aconsequenceofthismarginalisationhasbeenthatpedestriansfeellesssafe,roadshavebecomemorecongestedandtrafficspeedshave
increased.Thosewhohavenochoicebuttowalk,toschoolforexample,feellesssafe.Socially,motorisedtransportisolatespeoplefrom their
neighboursanddividescommunities,butbyreclaimingthestreetsandsharingspaces,asenseofplacecanbereclaimed.

PolicyT1:DesignandTraffi cManagement

Thedesignandlayoutofnewdevelopmentwillprioritisemovementaccordingtothefollowinghierarchy:
1 Walkingandcycling
2 Publictransport
3 Privatemotorisedtransport.

Thismeansdevelopmentwill:
•Contributetoanetworkoffootpathsandcyclewaysthatsafelyandconvenientlylinkresidentialareaswitheachotherandthemainservicesinthe
village.Cul-de-sacdevelopmentandlayoutsshouldbeavoided,topreventneighbourhoodsegregation.Developmentwillencouragethecreation
ofcircularwalkingandcyclingroutesforhealthandleisure
•Designtheroadlayouttoreducetrafficspeedwithouttheneedforspeedlimits
•Interpretroaddesignstandardsinawaysympathetictothelocalcontext,avoidingtheneedforexcessivevisibilitysplays,earthworksandroad
engineering.Banks,wallsandotherfeaturesdisturbedduringthecreationofnewaccessesshouldbere-instatedusingtraditionalmethodsand
materials
•Signageandroadengineeringsolutionsshouldreflectthe“sharedspaces”philosophy

Toencouragepublictransportuse,developersofsitesinexcessofsingledwellingswillprovidenewresidentswithinformationaboutpublictransport
servicesandlocaltimetables.

48

New DevelopmentandTraffic

T10.WiththedesignationofWinkleighasaLocalCentrewithintheLocalPlan,andwiththeconsequentdevelopmentandgrowthexpected,the
potentialconflictbetweenmotoristsandpedestriansmaybeexacerbated.Theimpactonthevillagesquareandsitessuchastheprimaryschool
areaparticularconcern.PolicyT2seekstomitigatethis.

PolicyT2:New developmentandtraffic

NewdevelopmentthatsignificantlycontributestoadditionaltrafficandparkingcongestioninandaroundtheSquareandtheschoolwillnotbe
supportedunlesstheseimpactscanbesuccessfullymitigated.Adesignandaccessstatementshouldsetoutthetrafficvolumesandflowsgenerated
bynewdevelopment,theirimpact,anddemonstratetheeffectivenessofanynecessarymitigationmeasures.

Wheredevelopmentmayresultinsignificantnumbersofadditionalpupilsattendingtheschool,opportunitiesshouldbetakentoworkwiththeschool
toreviewtheschooltravelplansothatmeasurestoimprovesafetyforpedestriansandpromotelesscarusearefullyexplored.

T11.Withinthedevelopmentboundarytherearesomeopportunities
forlimitedinfilldevelopment.Wherethisoccursopportunitiesshould
betaken,inaccordancewithPolicyT1,toenhancepedestrianand
cyclelinkagesandovercomethecurrentbarrierspedestriansfacein
reachingtheschoolandvillagecentre.Thisisparticularlyimportant
forsitestothesouthofthevillage.

49

LandbetweenElmsMeadow,WestcotsDrive,andFarmerFranksLane.

T12.Therearecurrentlynoplanstobuildonthissite.However,thepositionofthelandwhollywithinthedevelopmentboundarymeansthatprovided
itcanbesuccessfullydevelopedtherewouldbenoobjectioninprincipletohousingonthesite.Therearepotentialaccesspointsfrom FarmerFranks
LaneandWestcotsDrive.ThesiteisboundedbythehistoricShuteLanetotheeast.Ifdevelopmentoccurstherearegoodopportunitiestocreate
pedestrianlinkstotheadjacentestatesofElmsMeadowandWestcotsDrive,potentiallyopeningsaferwalkingroutestoschoolforresidentsofElms
Meadow.
Indicativeroutesareshownontheinsetmap.

PolicyT3:LandbetweenElmsMeadow,WestcotsDriveandFarmerFranksLane

Anydevelopmentofthissiteshouldprovidefor:
•Safevehicularaccessthatdoesnotcompromisepedestriansafety
•Improvedpedestrianlinkages(shownindicativelyonthemap),includingpedestrianlinkstoFarmerFranksLaneandShuteLane

50