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 That application was withdrawn after problems linked to a legal agreement and ownership of one of the adjoining units.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.
