IPPLEPEN Parish Council has commented on plans for a major housing development at Blackstone Cross, raising concerns over the proposed access arrangements for the site.

An application for up to 120 homes has been under consideration by Teignbridge Council since being submitted by Ipplepen LVA LLP and Little Bradley Farm SW Ltd in February, and the parish council has now given its response to the proposals.

In its comment on the application, reference 26/00240/MAJ, the parish council said it was of the opinion that the proposed access from Clampitt Road, along with the planned alterations to the Clampitt Road and A381 junction, were ‘unsatisfactory’.

The proposed development is planned for land at Blackstone Cross, an area allocated for housing in both the Ipplepen Neighbourhood Plan and the Teignbridge Local Plan 2033, which identifies the site for around 100 dwellings.

The plans seek permission for up to 120 homes, including a mix of one, two, three and four-bedroom properties, as well as six custom-built homes.

The scheme would include 36 affordable homes.

The site is enclosed by residential areas to the north and west, with the A381 and Conniford Lane forming the southern boundary.

The main access route proposed is from Clampitt Road, with an emergency vehicular access point from the A381; two pedestrian links are proposed from Clampitt Road, with another from Blackstone Road.

As part of the development, the proposals include areas of public open space, ecological buffers, sustainable drainage systems and a central focal area around an existing retained tree, designed as a space for residents to gather.

The applicant’s design and access statement says the development would create a ‘vibrant village location’ with good links to local facilities and amenities, while making use of existing landscape features including mature trees and hedgerows.

It adds that the scheme would provide a range of housing types and tenures to help meet local housing need, alongside ‘many identifiable, tangible and long-lasting benefits for the village and local area’.

TDC previously determined that the proposed development would not require an Environmental Impact Assessment following a screening opinion in June 2025.

There have been several representations made objecting to the scheme from those living in Ipplepen.

These range from concerns regarding flood risk, infrastructure capacity, highway safety, environmental protection, landscape impact, biodiversity and the preservation, or lack thereof, of the village's rural character.

Teignbridge Council were expected to decide on the application in May, however planning officers are still mulling it over.

To view the associated documents, and to make a comment on the application, visit Teignbridge’s planning portal and enter ‘26/00240/MAJ’ into the search-box.