Residents claim victory in bitter long-running dispute over bid to create soil dumping site

CONTROVERSIAL planning application to dump building soils on farmland near Exeter has been rejected by councillors.

- by PAUL GREAVES

At a meeting attended by about 50 members of the public Devon County Council's development management committee refused the proposal to create a new landfill at Lower Brenton Farm.

Members agreed with a recommendation from planning officers that the scheme would have an "unacceptable landscape and visual impact" on the land.

They said that during operations, the scale, design and nature of the proposals would result in "significant adverse effects on the distinctive agricultural character and scenic quality of the area".

It would also "obstruct panoramic views" from a public rights of way and gardens at the listed Peamore House.

In the longer term it would "detract from the distinctive character of the area" due to the permanent change of topography, says the report.

The decision is a defining moment in a long battle between the applicant and local objectors.

The proposal is for a 10-year waste recycling facility on farmland owned by the Taverner family, who also own the Orange Elephant Ice Cream company close to the A38.

BT Jenkins, the company behind the application, says Exeter is running out of sites where soils excavated during the building of thousands of new houses in the city - can be deposited.