A Devon family business will be allowed to build a food distribution and education centre after a government planning inspector overturned the local council's refusal. The Goosemoor 'educatering' facility, proposed near Woodbury, is expected to create up to 75 new jobs and operate round-the-clock six days a week.
Inspector overturns council decision
East Devon District Council had rejected the plans earlier this year, citing harm to the protected countryside, unsustainable car-dependent access on a narrow lane without pavements or lighting, and impact on nearby Grade II listed buildings including North Lodge, Nutwell Cottages and Nutwell Lodge Hotel. However, inspector Laura Cuthbert allowed the appeal with 26 conditions attached.
Economic benefits outweigh harm
While acknowledging the council's concerns, Cuthbert assigned them only 'limited' or 'moderate' weight, giving 'significant weight' to the employment benefits. She noted the development could create 75 jobs and cited the council's own economic development officer, who had recognised a 'critical and well-established shortage of available employment land' in East Devon constraining business growth and forcing some employers to leave.
Cuthbert stated: 'These comments indicate that concerns regarding the availability of employment land and commercial premises remain significant and ongoing. Consequently, notwithstanding the council's emerging strategy to address this matter, there remains an acknowledged and substantial shortfall in employment land across the district. Whilst future allocations may assist in meeting that need, their delivery remains uncertain at present. Having regard to the evidence before me, I conclude that the proposal would make a meaningful contribution towards addressing the current shortage of employment land and premises.'
Family business welcomes ruling
Jamie Walsh, founder and director of Goosemoor Educatering, said: 'The appeal has gone our way, and I think the process was pretty considered. It was back and forth from both sides, but what was pleasing is that in the appeal format, we could answer any queries, statements or questions and so it felt a lot more like our voice was heard. The inspector kept mentioning the planning balance and it came down more in our favour with the potential negatives not being enough to block the application.'
The Pritchard family has owned Goosemoor for nearly 70 years. The facility will primarily house a food distribution centre for its school meals operation, plus a classroom for pupils to learn about food origins and meal preparation, and open areas for growing crops used as ingredients.
Council disappointed but respects decision
An East Devon District Council spokesperson said: 'Our position was that the site conflicted with countryside protection policies, was in an unsustainable location with very limited access to public transport, walking and cycling routes, and would cause harm to the landscape and to the setting of nearby listed buildings. While the inspector agreed with all of these concerns, they concluded that the economic benefits of the scheme outweighed the harm identified, in the absence of a suitable alternative site. We respect the inspector's decision, but our position remains that development in the countryside must be carefully managed and located where it can be properly supported by sustainable transport and infrastructure.'
Construction is expected to begin in spring next year, once all 26 planning conditions are satisfied. The business hopes the centre will start operating shortly after completion.
