AN application to build 23 homes on a greenfield site at Folly Gate near Okehampton has been allowed by a planning inspector on appeal.

Planning inspector Tobias Gethin gave the green light to Kim Hawkins-Samson’s application to build 23 homes last week, saying: ‘I am satisified that the site would have reasonable access to centres which meet daily community needs for local services.’

The plan to build on a field on the Okehampton side of the village will include 30 per cent affordable housing, to comprise five affordable rented properties and two shared ownership properties. The applicant must also give £80,000 towards education and £15,000 to Folly Gate Village Hall. An area of open space will be included within the development.

West Devon Borough Council voted to turn down the application down in May last year as it was considered ‘an unsustainable form of development’.

The application was also opposed by Inwardleigh Parish Council as a brownfield site of a former garage site in the village had already been approved for 11 houses.

The parish council, which oversees Folly Gate as well as neighbouring Inwardleigh, said this met the requirement in the Joint Local Plan up until 2034, for Folly Gate to absorb 10 houses.

With no shop in the village, WDBC turned down this latest application for 23 houses as the nearest shops are in Okehampton and Hatherleigh.

However, Mr Gethin said: ‘Although its services and facilities are limited to the public house and village hall, Folly Gate is situated relatively close to larger settlements with mixed use centres containing various services and facilities. This includes Okehampton and Hatherleigh, which are approximately 1.75 and 4.5 miles away respectively and are both reachable from Folly Gate via public transport, with the bus service passing through the village on a reasonably regular basis. I observed on my site visit that the bus stops within the village are within walking distance of the site.’