Plans have been lodged to turn a former Second World War airfield building on the edge of Winkleigh into nine new homes after more than two years standing empty.
An application has been submitted by Mr Bruce Palmer seeking prior notification approval for the change of use of Unit 1, Bellinster Park, Seckington Industrial Estate, Winkleigh, from commercial, business and service use to nine dwellinghouses.
The planning statement, prepared by Acorus Rural Property Services, explains that the buildings, known as “The Depot”, were “formerly used as Airfield offices, the officer’s mess and Officer’s rooms associated with Winkleigh Airfield” . More recently they were occupied by Elemental Digest for research and development linked to nutrient-rich fertiliser from food waste, before the company went into liquidation.
According to the statement, the site has been “continuously marketed… since September 2023 to November 2025” with “no formal viable offers” . The document adds that the buildings “have now been vacant in excess of two years” and that there has been “no proceedable interest through the two year marketing programme” .
On that basis, the applicant is seeking to convert the property into nine single-storey homes, comprising “8 No. three bed single storey units and 1 No. 2 bed single storey dwelling” . The total gross internal area of the existing buildings is 1,482.32sq m, with the residential element amounting to 900.2sq m.
The site lies around 513 metres north of Winkleigh’s development boundary and is identified as employment land under Policy EC1 of the Winkleigh Neighbourhood Development Plan (2018–2031) . It sits south of the A3124, behind detached homes known as Elklands and Bellinster, with other Class E and B2 units to the south.
The statement notes that the buildings date from the 1930s and were part of a strategically important wartime airfield. They are not listed and are “not in the vicinity of any heritage assets or scheduled ancient monuments” . The site is also within a UNESCO Biosphere Transition area.
In planning terms, the application argues that the proposal complies with Class MA permitted development criteria. It states the property “has been empty since September 2023” and that it had been in Class E use for several years prior, including occupation by Elemental Digest between 2018 and 2023 .
Access to the new homes would use the existing vehicular access from the A3124, with “no changes proposed”. No enlargement of the buildings is proposed, although a canopy on the southern elevation and a roof covering between the buildings would be removed.
Internally, some walls would be removed and new partitions installed to create the nine dwellings, with the report stating that all units would meet or exceed nationally prescribed space standards . Each habitable room would have a window providing “sufficient light into the dwelling” .
The statement also addresses potential impacts. It confirms the site lies entirely within Flood Zone 1 and “is not at risk of flooding from rivers or seas”. On contamination, it says the buildings have only been used for offices, social and dining facilities linked to the RAF airfield and more recently for research and development, and that “none of these uses has involved the use of toxic or hazardous materials and substances”.
Regarding noise, the report acknowledges the proximity of the A3124 and neighbouring commercial units, but states the change from light industrial to residential “will see a decrease in noise pollution emanating from the site” . It adds that sound insulation and double glazing would be used, and that an earth bank planted with native hedgerow is intended to help screen and absorb sound from adjoining commercial buildings.
In its conclusion, the planning statement says the conversion “constitutes permitted development for which the Council’s prior approval should not be required” . It argues that bringing the buildings back into use would enhance “the vitality of Winkleigh and ensures the visual and environmental condition of the site into the future”.
