Villagers fight against new homes appeal in historic North Devon village

Residents of Westleigh are opposing a planning appeal brought by the Christie Estate to build new homes in the historic village. 

The proposed development follows a previous outline planning application that was refused by North Devon Council last year.

The original plans sought permission for nine houses on farmland just outside Westleigh’s conservation area. 

Residents and the independent charity Devon CPRE said the site is unsuitable for a range of environmental and heritage reasons. 

Concerns included the potential impact on the WWI village hall, the Grade II-listed Rock Cottage, and the destruction of a Devon Bank hedge, which provides a habitat for ten species of bats, four of which are endangered.

ABOVE: Hedgerow and Rock Cottage viewed from the south which villagers say is 'threatened' (photo supplied by Brian Lees)

Villagers also highlighted issues with traffic. 

Last August, they carried out their own survey of the narrow lane leading to the site, after the initial planning application included no traffic assessment. 

Residents argued that construction activity could disrupt the settlement, which comprises only 69 homes.

Following the original objections, North Devon Council refused the application, stating that the location was unsuitable for open-market housing, the development would not meet local housing need, and it would harm the character and appearance of the area.

The Christie Estate has now lodged an appeal and submitted a revised site plan, including a smaller, single-storey house at the entrance of the development intended to reduce the impact on Rock Cottage. 

A spokesperson for the estate said: “The content of the planning application, regarding the development in Westleigh, is in the public domain for all to see and comment on. We are confident the views of local people, together with the consultees, will be taken into account by the Planning Authority as part of the planning process..”

Devon CPRE, an independent charity that campaigns to protect Devon’s rural landscapes and prevent inappropriate development, is supporting the villagers. 

Its director, Penny Mills, said: “Westleigh is a very attractive settlement that overlooks the Taw-Torridge estuary and is mentioned in the Domesday Book. Much of the village is designated a conservation area. Residents made it very clear that they consider the proposed development inappropriate because of the location and road layout. We hope the Planning Inspector will listen to them as North Devon Council did.”

Former North Devon MP Selaine Saxby attended a recent parish council meeting, encouraging the community to express their views to the Planning Inspectorate.

Ms Saxby spoke at the meeting: “Our MP is now in the same building as Steve Reed, the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, who will consider the appeal. We should contact Ian Roome asking him to write a letter of support to express the strength of feeling within the local community, backed by CPRE.”

The North Devon Gazette contacted Ms Saxby for further comment but did not receive a response.

The council meeting also discussed concerns about the loss of green land and the possibility that future developers might seek higher housing density on the site. 

Residents are invited to submit comments on the appeal by 4 March 2026.

North Devon Council explained that the appeal relates to an outline planning application, meaning details such as layout, landscaping and appearance are reserved for later consideration. 

The Planning Inspectorate, which will consider the appeal, generally takes six months to a year to reach a decision.