A second investigation into a decision to grant permission for controversial plans for up to 130 homes in an East Devon town has been launched.
The process that led to plans for the major housing development on land near Seaton’s Harepath Road being approved earlier this year has already had to be scrutinised once by East Devon District Council.
But now the authority has had to launch a second investigation into fresh “concerns raised around the decision-making process”.
The emergence of the second investigation is likely to anger campaigners who opposed the plan initially.
An East Devon District Council (EDDC) spokesperson said: “The monitoring officer has received information and had concerns raised around the decision-making process of one item originally discussed at the EDDC planning committee on 25 February 2025.
“This is all being reviewed carefully before any decision is made about the next steps.
“All councillors are bound by EDDC’s councillor code of conduct. There is also a specific code of conduct for members of the planning committee.”
At its February meeting, East Devon’s planning committee, a vote ended with an equal split, six members for and six against.
Chair Cllr Olly Davey (Green Party, Exmouth Town), was against, but after scrutiny of his reasons for refusal by planning officers, he changed his vote to being in favour of the scheme, meaning it was approved by seven votes to five.
Cllr Eileen Wragg (Liberal Democrat, Exmouth Town), who has 30 years of experience in planning, expressed dismay, claiming she had “never seen anything like it”.
The controversy prompted an investigation, which led to a report being presented at May’s planning committee.
“There is clear case law which confirms that unless there is some distinct and material defect in the officer’s advice, the court will not interfere,” the report stated.
“Officers are satisfied that there was no distinct or material defect in the advice in this case.”
It added that the council believed the decision to be “lawfully conducted” albeit acknowledged “confusion for some onlookers”.
At the same time, officers agreed they would look to draft additional rules to help avoid a similar situation in the future.
It is unclear when the second investigation, which is understood to be scrutinising a different aspect than Cllr Davey’s vote, will be concluded.
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