Planning application for 450 homes submitted

An application for 450 homes near Barnstaple has been submitted to North Devon Council.

Developer Wessex Strategic Ltd has made plans to build the new properties in Bynsworthy, off the A39.

It comes after a previous application was rejected by planners earlier in 2025 because it was outside the defined development boundary and said to be unsustainable.

At the time, the council had enough sites in its local plan to meet its housing requirements for the next five years, a situation which has now changed because of new housing targets set by the government.

The updated proposal has included extra land for new pedestrian and cycle links, as well as community and retail space.

Wessex said it hoped these additions would address the concerns over sustainability.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service also said the plans included a village square, woodland planting to provide a buffer zone to the A39, and orchards and allotments.

Wessex said about 135 of the homes would be made "affordable" (about 30%) and the site would have a range of accommodation from one-bed to five-bed properties.

There have been a number of objections to the scheme from nearby residents, many of whom are worried about the loss of a greenfield site.

There are also concerns over inadequate infrastructure such as roads, doctors and dentists.

The application is for permission-in-principle, with appearance, landscaping and layout due to be part of a later detailed proposal.

North Devon Council plans to discuss the application at a future meeting.

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