PLANNERS have determined that a proposed development for more than 100 homes at Ipplepen does not require an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).

In anticipation of a forthcoming planning application for 114 homes at Blackstone Cross, 25/00872/SO was submitted to Teignbridge District Council (TDC) seeking a screening opinion, which allows applicants to find out whether a proposal requires an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) before making a planning application.

If screening identifies that significant environmental effects are likely, then an EIA is required.

And in response to 25/00872/SO, TDC determined that an EIA is not required.

EIAs make sure that project decision makers think about the likely effects on the environment at the earliest possible time and aim to avoid, reduce or offset those effects.

‘Given the nature and scale of the proposed development and the nature of the surrounding context, it is considered that while there may be some impact on the surrounding area as a result of this development, it would not be likely to result in significant environmental effects’ TDC’s decision letter reads.

The application was submitted by LRM Planning Limited on behalf of 3West Group, LVA LLP and Little Bradley Farm Limited, who control the land at Blackstone Cross.

In addition to the homes, of which some will be affordable, the development proposes a children’s play area, new access onto Clampitt Road, a new junction between the A381 and Clampitt Road and pedestrian and cycle connections.

The subject site, which is located within the South Hams Special Area of Conservation’s Greater Horseshoe Bat Landscape Connectivity Zone, has two existing field accesses; one on Blackstone Road and the other on Clampitt Road.

It is important to note that no planning application has been submitted yet, but, given TDC’s verdict on the screening opinion, a submission is surely not far away; the screening letter for 25/00872/SO opens with ‘in anticipation of a forthcoming planning application’.

To view the associated documents, visit Teignbridge’s planning portal and enter ‘25/00872/SO’ into the search-box.