Business park set for new units

An industrial estate in Devon is set to get nine new business units despite concerns about flooding and traffic.

Devon and Cornwall Farmers (DCF), which received planning permission in principle in 2019, has already built three properties at Beacon Park near Dartington.

South Hams District Council (SHDC) planners considered details of the third phase of the nine units and 161 parking spaces at a meeting.

Committee members heard DCF already provided £6,000 towards improving road safety and a wildlife corridor around the business units.

Members heard Dartington Parish Council opposed the plans, claiming it would impact local residents and the road network, particularly on back lanes.

Nine people submitted letters of support and said the scheme would bring jobs to Totnes and benefit the residents of a new housing development in Dartington.

SHDC development management committee member councillor Jacqi Hodgson said it felt like "planning creep".

She said more concrete and buildings increased the flood risk at Bidwell Brook, which was already under pressure from new development.

Councillor Guy Pannell said the committee had little option but to approve the plans as they already had permission in principle.

He said he was "deeply disappointed" the scheme had changed to a "more monolithic" design with units more broken up and less soft landscaping than previously proposed.

Councillor Bernard Taylor supported plans for the site.

He said: "Should we be allowing people to get on the roads and travel to Plymouth when we have an already-developed site to provide some employment for all the new residents? It will help our climate emergency."

Conditions to the planning consent prevent refrigeration units operating on lorries between 23:00 GMT and 19:00 GMT.

It also stops lorries from delivering or dispatching from the site between the same time period.

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