PLANS to transform a long-empty site in a Teignbridge village into nine commercial units have been rejected by the council.

The application, submitted by River Exe Group Limited, sought permission for nine B2/B8 business units on land off Generals Lane, Starcross, along with landscaping, parking and an area for boat storage.

However, Teignbridge Council refused the proposal, raising concerns over its location within the designated ‘Undeveloped Coast’ area, as well as its potential impact on the landscape and neighbouring residents.

The scheme was also criticised for a lack of adequate supporting information, particularly in relation to ecology, flooding, drainage and highways.

The council said the site falls within the Undeveloped Coast designation under policy EN2 of the Teignbridge Local Plan 2020-2040.

The policy is intended to restrict development in the area in order to protect its character, ecosystem services and networks of habitats.

In its decision, the council said the proposed development did not fall within the forms of development permitted by the policy and that no overriding justification had been provided to demonstrate why it was required in what was described as a ‘sensitive location’.

The parish council argued the development would be out of keeping with the character of the village and expressed concern about the ‘domination’ of the corner of the village by industrial units.

It also raised concerns about the proposal’s ‘overbearing appearance’ as well as traffic, access and road safety.

The application had described the currently vacant and overgrown site as an opportunity to provide employment in a sustainable location.

The proposed units were designed to incorporate a range of renewable energy measures, including solar panels, solar-thermal heating, battery storage and an air source heat pump.

The plans also stated that 50 per cent of the parking spaces would have electric vehicle charging points.

Despite those measures, the council concluded that the development was inappropriate in principle because of its location and its potential landscape, residential and environmental impacts.

The site, which is roughly square in shape, lies between a housing estate on Generals Close and Rose Cottage in Starcross.