PROPOSALS for the construction of the supporting infrastructure that it is hoped will bring in the investment to turn the planned Holsworthy agri-business centre into fruition has been met with an objection – by Devon County Council’s flood risk team.

Torridge District Council has applied to itself as the planning authority seeking hybrid planning permission for the project.

A hybrid planning application in this instance comprises of two parts, namely full planning permission for enabling development including access, highways infrastructure, groundworks, drainage, landscape, entrance signage and the formation of development plots in addition to outline planning application for agricultural business centre buildings.

The application is structured in a way that if approved, it would enable Torridge District Council to undertake what it calls the ‘infrastructure’ aspect, namely the layout of the site, connecting roads and the necessary enabling works but the construction of the actual agri-business centre would be driven by third parties.

As part of the planning process, a number of statutory bodies (such as parish councils and consultee teams) are asked for their input before a final decision is made.

While the majority of comments submitted so far are either positive or no objection, Devon County Council’s flood risk team has said it objects to the application.

In its opinion, the information provided by Torridge District Council’s planning agents relating to potential flood risk for the site is insufficient.

The objection stated: “At this stage, we object to this planning application because we believe it does not satisfactorily conform to Policy ST03 of North Devon and Torridge Local Plan 2011 - 2031.

“The applicant will therefore be required to submit additional information in order to demonstrate that all aspects of the proposed surface water drainage management system have been considered.”

Among the criticisms in the document accompanying the objection was the proposal by the applicant to use an underground system to drain water from the site – with the plans referring to six attenuation tanks across seven plots and permeable paving. The water would then discharge into an attenuation basin before discharging at a restricted rate of 23.0 litres per second via a hydrobrake flow into an existing ditch within the site boundary.

Devon County Council’s flood risk team said that in its view, underground systems cannot be considered as truly sustainable means of drainage because it does not provide the necessary water quality, public amenity or biodiversity benefits.

It has called on Torridge District Council to use above-ground sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) unless it can robustly demonstrate that they are not feasible.

The flood risk team have also called for the applicant to demonstrate the outfall and ditch is in their land ownership with additional photos submitted.

It means that if the additional information and steps aren’t taken, Devon County Council’s flood risk team will maintain its objection to the application.

The Environment Agency in its consultation response has said that it has no objections to the application.

The full application can be viewed on the Torridge District Council planning portal under reference 1/0502/2026/LA.

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