1.We are unable to discover any public document detailing
(a) how fields are selected by the County Council for possible disposal and in particular the criteria applied.
We can confirm that the field at Holcombe along with others were selected as possible sites that would potentially be suitable (based on but not limited to proximity to existing settlement boundaries, proximity to road network & developable area for residential development) along with others as part of the call for sites in 2017/2018.
(b) any democratic involvement in the selection of the Holcombe fields which have been offered to the District Council, notwithstanding that the published terms of reference of the County Farms Committee indicate that such a decision would fall within their remit and be in keeping with the detailed hands on role the Committee appears to have.
Submitting sites for consideration to be added to the Local Plan does not require formal committee approval for a site is included in the Local Plan by the District Council and Devon County Council (DCC) subsequently decide to dispose of the land/site it would formally be declared surplus to requirements and the relevant committee/member approval would be sought.
(c) why the decision has been taken to offer these two fields when the Farm has only recently been re- let to a young farmer and his family. In this connection, please also indicate why these two fields were chosen.
The original submission was in 2017 prior to the current tenancy, the current tenant is aware of the submission. The letting particulars referred to an area of land being held for ‘strategic purposes’ and that that land would only be available on a series of short term agreements, pending alternative use. The new tenants offer letter confirms the same. Part of the land under consideration is held by the former tenant who is also aware of the strategic nature of this site.
(d) why the decision was not taken previously when the Farm was let to an older farmer for many years and who managed the farm successfully up to his retirement from farming a couple of years ago.
As set out in the response to the previous question, the original submission was in fact made prior to the current tenancy. Disclosure of the identity of the previous tenant who managed the farm would be a breach of their personal data and this information is therefore exempt from disclosure pursuant to Regulation 13 of the Environmental Information Regulations 2004.
(e) what written analysis there has been of all the county farms with a view to offering fields for development; why these two fields have been selected notwithstanding the many planning, highways and lack of infrastructure objections to them which have been sent to the District Council and the fact that they contain Grade A agricultural land of good quality and will be severely affected in terms of wildlife habitats and biodiversity which are now viewed by the public and central government as of prime importance in efforts to reduce carbon footprint.
DCC select land for consideration based on the professional judgement of it property advisers and whether a site has potential to be developed. The Farms Estate Strategic Review of March 2010 stated ‘The significant majority of the Estate is to be retained but some assets are to be sold to generate capital for essential inward investment on the Estate, to capitalise on strategic development opportunities and to release large capital receipts for the benefit of the wider County Council’.
DCC select land for consideration based on the professional judgement of it property advisers and whether a site has potential to be developed. The Farms Estate Strategic Review of March 2010 stated ‘The significant majority of the Estate is to be retained but some assets are to be sold to generate capital for essential inward investment on the Estate, to capitalise on strategic development opportunities and to release large capital receipts for the benefit of the wider County Council’. The Strategic Review Report was endorsed by the Farms Estate Committee on 30 March 2010 (minute ref: FE/39) and Cabinet agreed / endorsed these minutes on 14 April 2010
(f) what public consultation there was with anyone who might be affected; in particular with the many residents whose property would be impacted..
The responsibility for consultation on the Local Plan proposals rests with the Local Planning Authority which is Teignbridge District Council. They follow the Regulations on local plan consultation set out by HM Government. The consultation period in respect of Part 3 of the Draft Local Plan ran for 10 weeks between 15 November 2021 and 24 January 2022. The document set out options where different types of development (wind turbines and solar, a potential gypsy and traveller site and potential small residential sites) could be located as the purpose of the consultation was to seek views on the options for development.
2. Who made the decision to suggest these two fields to the District Council and what account did they take of the views of the highways and education departments given that there is no primary school for miles and a very long trek to a secondary school? What answers do they have to the multiple and obvious objections to their inclusion in the local plan for housing development?
DCC submit possible sites with potential for development to the District Council – the consideration of suitability is taken by the District Council and we therefore hold no further information.