Emergency meeting tonight on Feniton housing developments

An emergency meeting is being held in Fention this evening reacting to a ‘super inquiry’ where developers are appealing previously rejected planning applications.

The Developers Wainhomes, Strategic  Land Partnership and Feniton Park Ltd  are appealing decisions on a total of 235 new houses.

This is on top of the 50 homes currently under construction by Wainhomes following a appeal on a previously rejected planning proposal.

Independent county Councillor for Ottery St. Mary Rural, Claire wright has backed the residents opposing the developments. She said: “Feniton is without doubt, the most under pressure village in East Devon.  It suffers from serious flooding and it continues to battle against major inappropriate development.

“The village is allocated 35 houses in EDDC's local plan until 2026, so that puts into perspective the onslaught the village is facing -  gross overdevelopment, which would see it grow by around 40 per cent.

“I urge all Feniton residents to attend the inquiry starting on 7 January and speak out about the damage that such overdevelopment would cause Feniton.”

The emergency meeting which is being chaired by Feniton parish council will be held in the Village’s primary school at 7:30pm this evening. (4 November)

It will be attended by residents and those who have been previously working to oppose planned developments in the village.

Also attending will be East Devon District Councillor Susie Bond,  who has been working with residents to oppose plans.

She said: "It should be an interesting night and i'm looking forward to hearing what everyone has to say on the plans.

"David Cameron said that he didn't want to see the planning changes bring housing estates to the edge of villages but this is what could happen here."

A spokesman for Wainhomes said: “there is nothing unique about the objections in Feniton it’s the same things as anywhere else.

“We have no doubt that it’s a good location and one of the areas where we should build.”

Wainhomes has appealed  for a further 83 homes to be developed at the super inquiry.

Parish Council chairman Martyn Smith said, “Feniton has been under siege from developers for well over two years now. Increasing the village by 40% is not a sustainable option, given its woeful infrastructure.

“We are suffering as a result of decades of appalling planning decisions and regular flooding which leaves sewage flowing in the streets and people’s houses.

“Feniton is the last place developers should be trying to build housing estates and it’s time to call a halt. The Parish Council is taking a full part at the Inquiry, and will be defending the village by resisting large-scale, inappropriate development.”

The Super inquiry will start ion January 2014 and is expected to last several days.