By Joe Ives, local democracy reporter

PLANS for up to 22 new homes near Bradworthy have been approved despite objections from the local parish council.

Outline planning permission was granted by Torridge District Council (TDC) plans committee for 22 homes next to North Road, a main road into the village.

The move goes against the wishes of Bradworthy Parish Council, which argues the area has more than fulfilled its planning obligations, saying: “We are a village and we want to remain a village.”

Cllr Richard Boughton (Conservative), ward member for Hartland, agreed. He said: “Bradworthy is a large village and not a town — and we want to keep it that way.”

Cllr Boughton said the village is “in the middle of nowhere” with very little public transport. He urged councillors to listen to the parish council and not make it feel like its concerns were being ignored.

The land in question is outside the area set aside for development and is on a greenfield site. However, with Torridge behind on its housing supply, officers recommend approval be granted subject to several conditions, including that the development provides affordable homes.

In comments submitted to TDC, Bradworthy Parish Council noted that 77 homes had already been granted planning permission around the village but have yet to be built. It also said several available building plots are already for sale but failing to attract investment or sales. The parish is concerned this is evidence that housing numbers in the village have reached “saturation point.”

The parish council argued that Bradworthy cannot cope with more residents, saying: “Our school is overflowing and our doctors surgery is beyond capacity.”

The application, made by an R and D Ludwell and Mrs J Clarke, was unanimously approved by committee subject to conditions. These stipulated that 30% of the new buildings would be for affordable homes. The developer will also have to make a financial contributions to the area’s education facilities.

Bradworthy Parish Council had concerns about road safety if more cars are to come along North Road if the homes are built. Part of the planning approval stipulates that the existing 30mph zone towards Bradworthy will be extended to cover a new access to the buildings. 

If the development goes ahead, hedges will be moved back and replaced by a new pavement along the road in front of the new buildings. There could also be an extension to street lighting from the village. 

Final details will be decided at a later date. Right now, there are plans for an ‘attenuation’ pond at the north west corner of the housing development to help manage storm water. 

Despite being on a greenfield site the developers argue that the new homes will result in a net gain for biodiversity.