A bitter row over heritage, safety and modern living has ended with councillors backing a controversial plan to carve out parking at a historic villa.
Members of South Hams District Council’s planning committee approved a retrospective application to create an off-street parking space at Duncombe Villa in Kingsbridge, despite strong objections from town councillors and local representatives.
The scheme involves excavating part of the front garden, rebuilding a section of boundary wall and creating access to a new parking area within the property, which sits in the Kingsbridge conservation area.
Planning officer Joanna Noble told the committee the proposal included reinstating the historic stone wall using salvaged materials and matching railings, alongside a three-metre access opening.
Ms Noble said: “The stone boundary wall is a key feature that needs to be preserved and contributes to the heritage value of the conservation area.”
She added that while some works had already taken place without permission, the revised plans would “remediate that harm” and were considered acceptable, subject to conditions.
Concerns had been raised over drainage, traffic safety and the impact on heritage. However, the council’s drainage and highways officers concluded the scheme would not create significant issues, with measures proposed to manage surface water and prevent loose material from entering the road.
Ms Noble said reverse parking into the space from the one-way street was “not uncommon” and had been deemed acceptable by highways officers.
Applicant Adrian Witherspoon, who bought the property with his wife Lisa in 2022, said the house had been in need of major restoration and that the wall had been unsafe.
Mr Witherspoon said: “We are a hundred percent committed to restoring the house back to its former grandeur.”
He told councillors part of the wall had been leaning dangerously over the pavement for decades and that works had been discussed with county council representatives before being carried out.
Mr Witherspoon added: “A scheme has been drawn and submitted… sympathetic to the property and surrounding areas.”
But Kingsbridge Town Council objected strongly, arguing the development would harm one of the town’s identified heritage assets.
Cllr Martina Edmonds said: “Kingsbridge Town Council strongly disagree with the heritage officer’s assertion, that the harm done to the conservation area will be magically fixed.”
She also criticised the appearance of new elements.
Cllr Edmonds said: “These appear to have nothing in common with the many stone walls that surround the property.”
Ward member Cllr Denise O’Callaghan echoed those concerns, highlighting both heritage and safety risks.
Cllr O’Callaghan said: “I would say that this causes harm to this historic setting.”
She added that the location, near a zebra crossing on a downhill one-way street, raised concerns about vehicles reversing into the space.
Cllr O’Callaghan said: “If you’ve got someone reversing in that context almost on the zebra crossing, then I think that is a concern.”
Cllr Jacqi Hodgson also spoke against the plans, warning about the broader impact of prioritising cars over historic environments.
Cllr Hodgson said: “We allow damage to our heritage areas… and if we’re not careful, we can allow cars to be the new architects.”
She proposed refusal, arguing the loss of the garden setting represented “a pretty big loss to the area”.
Planning officers maintained the proposal would restore the street-facing wall and have a neutral overall impact on the conservation area.
The application was approved with conditions, including requirements for drainage works and the use of appropriate stone materials to match the original boundary wall.
