PLANS for a new apartment block at the historic Exminster House have been approved.
Concerns were raised at Tuesday’s Teignbridge Council Planning Committee meeting that a new development of six apartments would be imposing on the residents already living there.
Cllr Charles Nuttall said the proposed building, which will be set to the rear of the current buildings, would be overlooking and imposing on residents.
He said: ‘The proposed building would be both imposing and out of character.
‘As the report states, officers have raised concerns about the overlooking impact.’
Planning Committee chairman, Cllr Mike Haines disagreed with Cllr Nuttall’s view.
He said: ‘I’ve looked at the drawings, I am familiar with the site and I don’t agree that this would be overbearing.’
Cllr Jackie Hook reminded councillors of the importance of thinking about carbon reduction on ‘every single’ planning application.
Cllr Adrian Patch queried if trees to be removed during the development could be transplanted to another site.
District council officers informed him that the council’s tree officer took a dim view of the supposed benefits of transplanting trees.
Officers had recommended approval subject to an agreement for the developer to provide an off-site affordable housing contribution in Exminster.
Permission for the development was granted with nine votes in favour, four against and one abstention.