AN East Devon District Council Cabinet Member has welcomed the dismissal of three out of four cases in the Feniton ‘Super Appeal’ as a “victory for common sense”.

EDDC Deputy Leader Andrew Moulding said he was “delighted” that a Planning Inspector had rejected appeals against the council’s refusal of three proposals to build a grand total of around 260 homes in the village.

Inspector Jessica Graham did allow an appeal by Feniton Park Ltd against refusal of permission to build 32 homes to the north of Acland Park.

Among the Section 106 undertakings is that the developer will pay £85,000 towards flood relief in the village.

But the major victory for EDDC, for Feniton Parish Council and for local residents was the refusal of Strategic Land Partnerships’ alternative proposals for up to 120 homes or 59 homes on land to the west of Ottery Road, Feniton, and a proposal from Wainhomes for 83 homes to the south of Station Road.

The Inspector also rejected the appellants’ claims for costs against the council for three of the appeals.

The four planning applications had been rejected by EDDC’s Development Management Committee and were the subject of a combined appeal in January, with daytime sessions held at the Flybe Training Academy near Exeter Airport.

Vindicates Councillor Moulding said: “This appeal decision totally vindicates our decision to defend Feniton against wholesale development.

"It also puts the lie to the contention by some scaremongers that East Devon is open to a planning free-for-all.

“I want to thank my planning officers and our legal team for the hard work they put in on this ‘super appeal’ and I note the Inspector’s approval of our decision to move the venue to a larger building. I also want to give credit where it’s due to Feniton Parish Council and to the residents who showed resilience and determination in fighting for their village. This victory is an example of what can be achieved when we are all pulling in the same direction”.

The appeal decision was also welcomed by Feniton’s ward member on EDDC, Councillor Susie Bond. Speaking on Monday, after the result was announced, she said: “This is an extremely good day for Feniton. I’d like to thank everyone in the village who helped fund our legal representative and who ensured that there was strong attendance at the hearings – especially the special evening session at the primary school.

“We’ve shown what can be achieved by working together and Feniton will be a better place for the decision announced today”.