A heated dispute over a proposed housing development at the historic Tidcombe Hall in Devon is set to reach boiling point as a public inquiry into plans for 100 new homes looms. The appeal, lodged by Tidcombe Holdings LLP, relates to Mid Devon District Council’s denial of outline planning permission for the project. The scheme includes the conversion of the Grade II-listed hall and outbuildings, the creation of a community growing area, public open space and associated infrastructure on the outskirts of Tiverton.

The proposed site, Tidcombe Hall on Tidcombe Lane, has become a hotbed of local opposition due to fears of overdevelopment and its potential impact on the surrounding beautiful countryside and local infrastructure. Last year, councillors unanimously rejected proposals relating to the site for the second time in three years, after 171 objections were made to plans for nearly 100 new homes across the site, with complainants citing they would harm the character of the Grand Western Canal conservation area.

Local Tory Ian Liddell-Grainger, who narrowly missed out on becoming the MP for the new Tiverton constituency at the General Election last year, is supporting local residents in their opposition to the scheme. He previously said: “Housing developments should only be approved if they are going to have a beneficial or at least neutral impact on the local community and this scheme falls well outside these parameters. On the contrary: it will deliver a number of distinct disbenefits, including the loss of the canal crossing and the generation of additional traffic on an entirely unsuitable local road network.”

He added: “Siting 100 new homes on this site would also have a huge environmental impact which it would be impossible to mitigate, immeasurably scarring the eastern approaches to the town. Previous applications on this site have been dismissed as ‘meritless and catastrophic’ by the district council and I see nothing about the current scheme to persuade me that those terms will not, equally, apply to it.

“Democracy starts with the voice of the people and accordingly I would invite the council to listen to those many, many local people who have voiced their opposition to this development and represent those views when making its recommendation to the planning committee.”

Those in favour of the scheme argue that approving the development would help ease the national housing crisis, and result in extra contributions towards local education and health services. The inquiry will commence on Tuesday, May 20 and span six days across two sessions (May 20-23 and June 3-5) at Phoenix House, the council’s headquarters on Phoenix Lane in Tiverton. The proceedings will be held in person but will also facilitate virtual participation via Microsoft Teams.

Each day’s session will kick off at 10am. The Planning Inspectorate, utilising powers granted under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, will oversee the hearing to decide whether the appeal should be upheld, reports Devon Live.

Public interest in the inquiry is anticipated to be high, and the council has encouraged residents to indicate in advance if they wish to attend or speak at the hearing. The public are allowed to attend and may be given the opportunity to voice their opinions at the discretion of the inspector.

A final verdict will be posted on the Planning Inspectorate’s Appeals Portal following the conclusion of the inquiry.