A controversial plan to turn former workshops into homes in Bideford has been approved by councillors despite warnings over flooding and noise concerns.

Torridge District Council’s plans committee debated proposals to convert commercial premises at 13-15 Westcombe Lane into two three-bedroom homes after planning officers recommended refusal.

The application was brought before councillors by Cllr Chris Leather, who said members had already discussed similar concerns during a previous application for the site.

Planning officers explained the latest proposal followed the withdrawal of an earlier scheme to create three homes at the site. That application was withdrawn after problems linked to a legal agreement and ownership of one of the adjoining units.

Officers said the site, which had previously been used as a woodworking workshop and vehicle repair premises, lies partly within Flood Zone 3. Concerns were also raised about the lack of evidence showing safe escape routes during a flood event and the absence of a noise assessment.

The council’s environmental protection team objected because neighbouring commercial uses could affect future residents and because no detailed noise mitigation measures had been submitted.

During the debate on Thursday, May 14, councillors questioned whether flooding was a genuine risk.

Cllr Nigel Kenneally said he had spoken to somebody who had worked in Westcombe Lane for years and claimed the area had “never” flooded.

Planning officers responded that the concerns were based on Environment Agency flood mapping and future climate modelling rather than historical flooding records alone.

Cllr Leather argued the area had changed significantly over the years and said many former commercial buildings nearby had already been converted into homes.

He told the committee: “We do not want industrial down there. If every industrial moves away, good, let’s do something better down there.”

Cllr Leather also said Bideford’s flood defence scheme had been designed to protect against a one-in-100-year flooding event.

Cllr Doug Bushby said converting the building from a woodworking workshop into homes would improve the area and reduce noise.

He said: “Much of Westcombe Lane, probably 30 or 40 years ago, was commercial premises. All of those commercial uses have ceased and those buildings have all been converted into residential use.”

Cllr Rosemary Lock noted there had been no objections from neighbours and questioned whether retaining a small workshop was more important than creating additional housing while the council could not demonstrate a five-year housing supply.

The application proposed creating two three-bedroom properties with kitchen, living and dining areas on the ground floor. Officers accepted the principle of residential development in the location because the site sits within the Bideford development boundary.

However, officers maintained their recommendation for refusal because the loss of employment space had not been justified and concerns remained over flooding and residential amenity.

Despite those objections, councillors voted to approve the application.

A fast-growing football club says it has outgrown its ageing facilities after councillors approved plans for a new clubhouse and community food pantry despite objections over the loss of green space.

Torridge District Council’s planning committee voted to approve proposals for a new single-storey clubhouse at Pollyfield Playing Fields in East-the-Water, Bideford. The development will include changing rooms, kitchen and toilet facilities, a social area and a base for the East-the-Water Community Pantry.

Planning documents show the building would be constructed on a small section of public open space next to an existing football pitch. Officers said the development would take up around 0.95 per cent of the wider green space and recommended approval.

Speaking at the meeting on Thursday, May 14, Shamwickshire Rovers FC chairman Sam Stevens said the club had expanded rapidly since reforming after the Covid pandemic.

Mr Stevens told councillors the club had grown from two adult teams and 10 members to 14 teams and around 250 members in five years. He said the club now runs five disability teams and seven youth sides, including what he described as the only disability football provision in North Devon.

He said: “The infrastructure has not grown with the club. We have got no female toilet, no disability toilets and only one male toilet and two urinals.”

Mr Stevens also said the club had worked with Devon Air Ambulance to create a night landing site at Pollyfield and had organised family holiday clubs and festivals.

The proposed building would also provide a permanent home for the East-the-Water Community Pantry, which Mr Stevens said supports between 50 and 60 families each week.

Project architect Mrs Fearnley Lott told councillors the current facilities were “no longer fit for purpose”.

She said: “This proposal is about supporting a rapidly growing community asset that serves hundreds of local residents each week.”

Mrs Lott said the building would provide accessible toilets, changing facilities, kitchen space and a covered viewing area for families and carers watching matches.

Planning officer Peter Stapley told the committee the site was located within Bideford’s development boundary and close to existing community facilities. He said the proposal would have a “relatively low impact” on the surrounding area.

Mr Stapley acknowledged objections had been raised over the loss of green space, parking and the impact on nearby residents. However, he said the loss of land was minimal and the benefits outweighed concerns.

Three objection letters were submitted during consultation, with residents raising concerns over overdevelopment, parking, wildlife impacts and the loss of open space.

During the meeting, councillors also discussed whether restrictions should be placed on opening hours because of the number of football teams expected to use the site.

Councillor Peter Hames questioned whether the building could include solar panels and rainwater harvesting systems, describing it as a “lost opportunity” if sustainable measures were not considered.

The council granted planning permission subject to conditions, including restrictions on construction hours and limits on external lighting to protect bats and other wildlife.

The approved building will measure about 21 metres wide by 10 metres deep and include a clubhouse social area, kitchen, storage space and toilet facilities.

Planning permission was formally granted by Torridge District Council on Friday, May 15.