Final hurdle for controversial 130-homes scheme

A controversial plan for up to 130 homes in an East Devon town appears to be at the final hurdle before being given the go-ahead.

The outline proposal for the homes, on land near Harepath Road in Seaton, has had a tumultuous ride, with two investigations conducted into the decision-making process surrounding its approval.
But East Devon District Council said it is now nearing the end of scheduled discussion with the developer, Baker Estates, about certain requirements for the scheme.
These relate to a so-called Section 106 agreement, a common form of deal between a council and a housing developer over aspects such as how much social housing will be included and whether the likes of parks or sewage systems need to be completed before houses are occupied.
If these discussions are amicably concluded, then the scheme could be given the green light.
However, because the application is an outline one, the developer would then need to return with a full application that would consider aspects such as the layout and design of the properties. This would also need to be approved by the planning committee at East Devon. 
“The Section 106 negotiations are nearing completion and a decision could be issued within the next month, but is subject to change,” a spokesperson for East Devon District Council said about the outline planning application.
The terms of the agreement, which are available for the public to see on the council’s website, include requirements for half of the site’s affordable housing to be completed by the time half of the open market properties are available, and for the sports pitch linked to the scheme to be completed by the time just under two-thirds of the homes are occupied.
The application has had a dramatic passage, with its first scrutiny by the planning committee in February last year prompting a controversy.
At that meeting, one of the councillors who voted against it, the committee chair, Cllr Olly Davey (Green, Exmouth Town), subsequently changed his vote after planning officers queried the strength of his objections.
Cllr Davey’s switch meant the proposed development was passed by the committee with seven votes in favour and five against.
The council’s planning solicitor, Damian Hunter, was present at the meeting and appeared to endorse Cllr Davey’s actions.
While the chair does have the casting vote, the council then investigated whether the change of vote had been done correctly, and a few months later even took the unusual step of bringing a report back to the planning committee to confirm the vote had been lawful and explain why.
But in June it emerged that a second investigation into the decision to approve the scheme had been launched due to “concerns raised around the decision-making process”.
However, an East Devon District Council spokesperson has now confirmed that no actions arose from that investigation.
“The second investigation was completed and no evidence found to substantiate the concerns raised,” the spokesperson said.
“Investigations are confidential and subject to data protection and therefore no further information can be disclosed.”