AN extension on an application for more than 20 ‘eco-lodges’ at a derelict Teignbridge quarry has been granted as a decision has yet to be made.

Haldon Quarry could soon be the home to 27 eco-lodges as Wilderness Escapes and Hieronymus Gruff Ltd’s application seeks to change the use of the land.

According to the design and access statement, 26 of the lodges will be ‘for holiday use only’, with the remaining lodge existing for the ‘sole benefit of generating income for a charitable cause’ - Devon Air Ambulance is named in the document.

‘It would provide a model example of how fully sustainable holiday development can be created and would allow Teignbridge to lead by example in eco-tourism’, the design and access statement for 24/02007/MAJ says.

The proposed units will be of ‘bespoke design and construction’, built to Passivhaus standards of thermal performance and air tightness, heated by an air source heat pump and spaced out, fitting around and within the vegetation.

24/02007/MAJ proposes no new hard surfaces, such as tarmac roads, paths, or curb edgings, rather the existing quarry track routes will be used.

The existing workshop building on the site contains a bat roost, which will be retained with the sole intention of not disturbing resident bats.

Wilderness Escapes’ ethos is that the accommodation ‘sits within the existing landscape’ and that visitors will stay within the landscape so to ‘fully experience it’.

Electric car charging points will be provided, according to the design and access statement.

The charging points will be located with purpose built PowerPods, to be located alongside each eco lodge.

The existing entrance to the site, formerly a quarry and contractors yard, would be closed and a new, discrete entrance will be created.

Public consultation for 24/02007/MAJ, ended on March 27, with the government target date for Teignbridge District Council to have made a decision on the application on or before May 26.

However, no decision has yet been made, with a September 22 extension having been agreed on August 18.

This is not the first time holiday lodges have been proposed for the site.

An application for 42 holiday lodges, submitted by RF Aggregates Limited in 2017, was rejected by TDC in 2022.

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