Whitestone Parish Council

Minutes of Parish Council at Whitestone Parish Hall at 7.30pm on Thursday 14^th August 2025.

Attendance: Chair – Cllr T Baird

Councillors M Belt, M Frankum, C Lang, E Purser, P Stott, T Taylor

Mrs P Vaughan, Clerk to the Council.

Mr S Gibbons, Mr P Mingo.

Apologies:- Councillor M Baxendale-Nichols,

District Councillor J Parrott,

County Councllor Connett

50. Cllr Baird opened the meeting which had been called primarily to discuss the payment of monies for the 2^nd Judicial Review and planning applications which require a response prior to the September meeting.

51. Notification has been received from Devon County Council that an additional payment of £5,000 from the 2^nd Judicial Review is now due for payment. After discussion it was unanimously agreed that this amount should be paid in full upon receipt of the invoice.

52. PLANNING

52.1 25/01052/HOU Rear extension including pergola and external terraces at Bridges, Halsfordwood Lane.

Following discussions and consideration of the planning application at the Whitestone Parish Council meeting on 14 August 2025, the Whitestone Parish Council is neutral on this application.

The following changes are recommended:

Environmental Improvements – Incorporation of bat boxes is recommended to better the environmental impact of the proposal.

Drainage – Continued maintenance of the existing drainage on the site is recommended to reduce flood risk on the site.

Whitestone Parish Council makes an effort to represent the interests of the Parish in this Planning Application Response but we encourage members of the community to post individual issues or challenges with this proposed development directly on the planning forum. This document is to be used for reference by the Planning Officer / Planning Committee and we leave the final decision to Teignbridge District Council.

Considerations in Whitestone Parish Council Response

Considerations made by Whitestone Parish Council are provided based on the following information:

National Planning Policy Framework.
Local Parish Development Plan (See Parish Website) and Parish knowledge.
Planning Material Considerations.

Non Material Considerations identified as important by Whitestone Parish Council (WPC)

Construction Considerations

While construction disruption is not a material consideration, the proposed building to be constructed will potentially cause environmental damage that should be considered as a part of the whole-life cycle of the building.

Transportation – The existing site is in an area with poor transportation links and therefore, may pose an issue during construction work. This should be considered by the client

Environmental Material Considerations

Noise – It is unlikely the development will generate a lasting noise impact aside from during construction. This is not a material consideration.
Air Quality – It is unlikely the air quality of the existing area will be damaged long term by the proposed development.
Biodiversity Impacts – Noted in the ecological survey is the presence of bats, breeding birds and reptiles. Construction may cause issues. Measures can be taken such as bat boxes / bird boxes to help mitigate the effects of the planned construction and these are suggested in this letter.
Light – As a result of the extension, there will be a slight increase in glazing which may contribute to light pollution in the area.
Land Pollution – This is not applicable

Biodiversity Net Gain – Overall the biodiversity will be a net loss, however, this will be a low amount of biodiversity loss and mitigation measures can be put in place.

Economic Material Considerations

Local Business – Construction will support local workers and will likely impact the local construction supply chain.

Community Impact Material Considerations

Appearance and Design – The proposed changes, as seen on elevation drawings are relatively low and will therefore not change the existing building to a great degree. The existing building appearance is in-keeping with the village aesthetic and is proposed to be maintained.
Visual Impact – The structure is in a valley and will therefore be unlikely to have a significant visual impact.
Loss of Privacy – The new extension and patio is unlikely to cause a loss of privacy.
Heritage Assets – The existing building at Bridges is not a known heritage asset and therefore, there is no proposed damage to be caused as a result of this proposal.
Flood Risk / Drainage – The site does lie in an existing area of flood risk due to its proximity to the Nadderbrook. Therefore, to reduce the risk of flooding to the site the continued trimming of vegetation and removal of debris in and around drainage networks is required. The new proposal will increase impermeability of the site which will slightly increase flood risk.
Highways – It should be noted the inclines and blind corners in and around the existing site and this needs to be informed to construction traffic prior to any construction works taking place. Existing access is not proposed to be altered in this planning application.

Transport – Long term, further traffic is not predicted as a result of this development.

Site History

Previous Applications – There have been previous applications of similar size that have been granted on this structure. It is clear that the applicant and/or previous applicants has been respectful of the village and communicative to Teignbridge District Council and the WPC.

National Planning Policy Framework

The key goal of the National planning policy framework is to achieve ‘sustainable development’. This is centred around United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) which is centred around the following three points:

Economic Sustainability – The proposed development is a small development that will help support an existing member of the village to improve their home. It will likely support local builders and local suppliers and is small making it proportional to the existing economy.
Social Sustainability – The development is small and proportional to the existing character of the area. It can likely be supported by the village.

Environmental Sustainability – Environmental mitigations have been suggested in this planning application statement. The development is not a large development and will therefore have limited environmental impacts.

52.2 5/01025/FUL Demolition of agricultural building for change of use to residential and construction of self build detached house with a detached double garage/car port and associated groundwork’s following Class Q (23/01001/NPA) Resubmission of 24/02099/FUL on land south east of Hill Farm, Pound Lane.

Whitestone Parish Council has discussed and considered this planning application. We have noted that the new proposal has reduced the overall size and quantity of glazing following the previous publication which was refused. We were pleased to see the sustainable approach to the build. The only comment provided was a concern during the building phase around access from Pound Lane for materials and deliveries.

Winning speed signs from children.

It was decided that the signs sent in by children should be printed (at an approximate cost of £180) and displayed within the Parish.

Crossway Park and Community Garden

Improvements which had been made to the Community Garden were reported and thanks were expressed to Devon County Councillor Connett for his contribution of monies towards the project and also to District Councillor Nuttall for his contribution through Teignbridge District Council

55. FINANCE

55.1 Balance brought forward 01/04/25 £34,880.17

Income £15,041.17

Total £49,921.34

Expenditure £25,117.31

Balance at 04/08/25 £24,804.03

Income

55.2 DCC Locality Budget Payment

(through Cllr A Connett for the Playpark) £500.00

55.3 Teignbridge District Council Payment

(through Cllr Nuttall for the Playpark) £100.00

55.4 2 School Houses rental to 7^th Sept 2025
£1,050.00 - £126.00 (includes £21.00 VAT) = £924.00

Expenditure

The following expenditure was proposed and seconded for payment. All in favour and the cheques were signed by Councillors Baird and Belt.

55.5 Henry Netherway (repairs to playpark climber) (cheque 818) £660.00

55.6 L Blades (Lengthsman £288.31/Grass cutting £50.00) (cheque 819) £338.31

55.7 T Taylor £71.99 (cheque 820). £71.99

56. REPORTS

Cllr Parker reported on the postal locker which will be installed at the Parish Hall in conjunction with the Parish Hall Committee.

It was noted that following a request from the Parish Clerk the date of the November Parish Council meeting has been changed to 7pm on Thursday 6th November instead of the 13^th.

Cllr Belt asked for a notice to be placed at the Hall advertising the hiring of the Parish Hall for events. Discussion ensued and whilst the Council are in favour no actual decision was made regarding the siting. Cllr Belt also reported that the Parish Hall kitchenette is being refurbished.

Cllr Baird expressed thanks to everyone in the community and Councillor Alan Connett who wrote in about the proposed road closure at Redhills.

57.PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

Mr Mingo was in attendance to report dogs running loose within his lands and stated that he will be renewing his fencing to prevent his lifestock being interfered with. He requested that members of the public should keep their dogs on a leash when they are being walked within the Parish.

The meeting closed at 9.30pm.