Elmfield Nursery Development

We've had a very polite letter of apology from the head of Planning Services at Exeter City Council, pointing out that one of the reasons they refused the application was the it represented over development of the site in terms of "the appearance of the development in relation to the scale and character of the area".

He apologises on behalf of the Council for it's "failure to address the incorrect scale".

He thinks it possible that the inspector from the Planning Inspectorate took into account the height of the original Cavanna homes application (which the Council approved) where the height was accurately plotted.

Elmfield: The Chairman's Letter

Dear Sir

The attention of the Taddyforde Residents' Association has been drawn to the substantial inaccuracy of certain building heights in the plans submitted for the Elmfield Nursery Development (05/0551/03).

It is clear that the height of Streatham Lodge has been misrepresented on the plans and that this has led our members and all other interested parties to believe that the overall height of the development would be considerably lower than is in fact the case.  This of course explains why the emerging buildings appear much higher to us all than was expected.

We feel most strongly that we have been denied the opportunity to make objections at the planning stage on grounds of height because we have been misled.  We have all been effectively disenfranchised by the misrepresentation.

We also feel that Exeter City Council and the Planning Inspectorate have failed in their duty to scrutinise and review the planning application.  Misleading information was presented to the public.

The whole application process, as a result of these issues was, it is clear, flawed.  The approval should be set aside now and building work stopped immediately to allow the re-opening of the application.

Yours faithfully

Peter Cobbold (Chair, Taddyforde Residents' Association).

10.06.08

Elmfield Error

Elmfield Development (05/0551/03)

A neighbour in Streatham Rise has noticed that the plans for the development include a cross section drawing which misrepresents the height of Block C (on New North Road opposite Streatham Lodge) in relation to Streatham Lodge.  The Lodge is shown as being 4 metres lower than Block C.  It is actually 8 metres lower.  The same might apply to The Chalet in Taddyforde.  Obviously the two existing dwellings were included for purposes of comparison and give a false impression of the development's relationship to the environment.

The Council Planning Department has confirmed this, but claims that the development does conform to the plans approved for the site and they can, therefore, take no further action.  In any case Exeter City Council did not approve the application.  It was approved by the Secretary of State after and investigation by the Planning Inspectorate.

However, this misrepresentation means that people who would have objected on the grounds of height were denied the opportunity to do so.

Exeter City Council is guilty of maladministration by failing to check the drawings made available to the public.  The same might be said of the Planning Inspectorate.

The application should now be set aside and all work on the development suspended while this discrepancy is investigated and corrected.

The more letters both parties receive the more likely they are to take notice.

Please send your views to:

Mr. Richard Short

Head of Planning Services

Exeter City Council

Civic Centre

Paris Street

Exeter

EX1 1NN

And:

Mr. Peter Robottom

Director of Operations

The Planning Inspectorate

Temple Quay

Bristol

BS1 6PN