I am writing under the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 (EIR) to request access to any information held by Devon County Council that demonstrates how sustainability has been assessed, considered, or evidenced in relation to the Howton Road planning application Ref: 17/00618/MAJ, Site: 10 Western House, Howton Road, Newton Abbot, Devon TQ12 6NB
Proposal: Originally submitted for 33 dwellings, amended during the process to 32 dwellings,
I have been advised that this information is not available from Teignbridge District Council.
In particular, I would be grateful if you could provide any records, reports, assessments, correspondence, studies, plans, or other documentation relating to the following matters:
1. Access to Primary Education
* Records demonstrating the proximity of the development to a primary school and the availability of safe walking and cycling routes.
* Any assessments of pedestrian and cycling accessibility for schoolchildren.
* Details of any existing or proposed infrastructure improvements intended to support active travel to and from local schools.
The approximate distances of schools from the site are as follows:
0.76 miles from St Josephs Catholic Primary School
1.05 from Highweek Community Primary & Nursery School
0.86 from Coombeshead Academy
No school transport requested, as deemed within distance.
A route walk assessment was undertaken in 2016. The assessment concluded that the route was considered available and reasonably safe for a child, accompanied as necessary, to walk to school.
The route has since improved, with a walking route now available along the lane and through the housing estate. Once pedestrians cross Howton Lane and reach the estate, they can access Mile End Road, which has pavements all the way to Coombeshead Academy, Newton Abbot College, St Joseph’s Primary School and Highweek Primary School.
As a result, Devon County Council (DCC) does not provide home-to-school transport from this area to either primary or secondary schools, as the route is considered safe for walking.
2. Access to Public Transport
* Evidence showing walking and cycling distances from the development to the nearest bus stops, transport hubs, or public transport services.
* Any Transport Assessments, Travel Plans, or sustainable transport studies submitted or considered as part of the application.
* Records demonstrating how the proposal aligns with sustainable transport objectives and policies.
Please see this Devon County Council webpage for this information.
You will see that some of the information has been greyed out. This is because this information is exempt from disclosure under Regulation 13(1) of the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 (Personal Data).
Devon County Council can confirm the requested information is held; however, the Council cannot disclose personal information, if releasing it would contravene any of the provisions in the UK General Data Protection Regulation. In this instance release of this information would contravene the first data protection principle and therefore the information is withheld.
3. Access to Essential Retail and Local Services
* Documentation demonstrating how future residents would access essential retail facilities, including grocery or convenience stores, by foot or bicycle.
* Any sustainability appraisals, accessibility studies, or community infrastructure assessments addressing local access to everyday services and amenities.
* Evidence used to determine whether the location meets sustainability criteria in relation to reducing reliance on private vehicles.
Apart from the information provided as a response to question 2 above, DCC does not hold this information.
4. Foul Drainage, Sewage and Wastewater Infrastructure
* Any assessments, reports, correspondence, or technical documents relating to the capacity of the local foul drainage and wastewater network to accommodate the proposed development.
* Evidence demonstrating that existing sewage treatment, pumping stations, and associated infrastructure have sufficient capacity to serve the development without increasing the risk of sewer surcharging, flooding, pollution incidents, or environmental harm.
* Any consultation responses received from South West Water, the Environment Agency, or other relevant bodies concerning wastewater and sewage infrastructure.
* Details of any planned upgrades, mitigation measures, or infrastructure improvements required to support the development.
* Any sustainability assessments considering the impact of the development on local watercourses, groundwater, designated sites, protected habitats, or the wider environment arising from additional wastewater flows. Furthermore, I would appreciate clarification as to how the adequacy and sustainability of local sewage and wastewater infrastructure was assessed when determining whether the proposed development could be regarded as sustainable development, particularly given ongoing concerns regarding network capacity and the environmental implications of additional wastewater flows.
DCC does not hold this information. In the interests of providing advice and assistance, DCC can confirm that foul water, sewers and sewerage are the responsibility of South West Water.
I would also like to formally request that Devon County Council considers undertaking an updated traffic survey of Howton Road. As Highways and local residents have observed a significant increase in traffic levels since previous assessments were undertaken, and I believe an up-to-date survey would provide a more accurate evidence base for evaluating the transport impacts of the proposed development.
A survey of the current situation on Howton Road would not be representative of the normal conditions on this section of road. It is currently being used as part of a diversion route a (until September 2026), as the access from the A383 is closed due to works for the Houghton Barton development site NA1.
There are also plans to put a modal filter on Howton Road to stop through traffic once the link road is complete between the A383 and A382, which will obviously reduce traffic further.