Planning – Application Comments

Consultation Date: Thu 16 Oct 2025

Comment Date: Thu 09 Oct 2025

I refer to the request for further comment on the above-mentioned planning application following the receipt of amended information.

The LHA were previously unable to support the creation of a secondary access taken from Yealmpstone Drive as the new crossing was not situated 10m from the junction with Tuxton Close which gave rise to concerns of highway safety.

The applicant now intends to create a secondary access from Tuxton Close by converting and extending an existing, informal pedestrian crossing. The LHA would still be unable to support the proposed development.

The new vehicular crossing would continue to be located within 10m of the junction with Yealmpstone Drive. Whilst the intention would be to extend an existing dropped kerb, the existing function was to serve pedestrian use only. The conversion and extension of this dropped kerb to provide vehicular access would lead to unexpected and potentially hazardous vehicle movements within close proximity to the junction which gives rise to concerns of highway safety.

This issue is further exacerbated due to the abnormal access and parking configuration now proposed. As detailed within paragraph 13.89 of the SPD, a vehicle should be able to cross the footway at 90 degrees to the road to ensure sufficient levels of visibility can be achieved. Due to the constrained nature of the access to the hardstand, where cars will be required to pass between the property boundary and the porch to access the hardstand to the front of the property, there is the inability for vehicles to cross the road at a 90 degree angle.

In addition, it is not considered that vehicles would be able to access/egress the site without potentially overriding the public footway adjacent to the crossing due to the awkward manoeuvres that would be required. Likewise, the lack of boundary treatment for the hardstand gives rise to concerns that vehicles could unlawfully cross the footway to access the hardstand to the front of the property which would again, give rise to concerns of highway safety for all road users.

Furthermore, the 1.8m high boundary wall adjacent to the new proposed crossing would fall within the 2mx2m, 45-degree visibility splay which is required to ensure adequate levels of inter-visibility are achieved to safeguard pedestrian movements.

Notwithstanding the note on the revised drawing, a vehicle would not be able to turn within the confines of the proposed hardstand and exit in a forward gear and as such, reversing movements could not be avoided.

Due to the configuration of the site access, any vehicles reversing out of the hardstand would have very limited visibility along both the footway and carriageway within close proximity to the junction with Yealmpstone Drive where increased levels of vehicle activity would be expected.

For the reasons as detailed above, the proposed development would give rise to concerns of highway safety for all road users and therefore, the LHA would continue to recommend the application for refusal.

Separate consent from Network Management would be required to facilitate the new dropped kerb and vehicle crossing. Network Management have advised that any application would be refused due to the insufficient depth at the site access and as the property is already benefitted with a vehicle crossing and dropped kerb from Tuxton Close.

It is acknowledged that the property on the opposite side of the street has an existing vehicle crossing within 10m of the junction with Yealmpstone Drive, however the access is historic and pre-dates current planning policy. Furthermore, each planning application is assessed on its own merit and the LHA would not wish for poor design that fails to comply with current planning guidance to be replicated.

Recommendations:

Support
No objection
No objection subject to appropriate mitigation (as identified below)
Object to application X

If 'object' on what grounds?

Reasons for Refusal:
SUB-STANDARD ACCESS
The proposed means of access to the development hereby proposed is unsuitable for its intended use and the associated increase in use of the access by vehicular traffic as a result of the development would give rise to conditions likely to cause:

(a) Prejudice to public safety;
(b) Interference with the free flow of traffic on the highway;
(c) Unwarranted hazard to vehicular traffic

which is contrary to Policy DEV29 of the Plymouth & South West Devon Joint Local Plan 2014-2034 and Paragraphs 115-117 of the NPPF December 2024.



The proposed development has been considered in accordance with the Councils current Development Plan Policies and having regard for the National Planning Policy Framework.



Abbie Perry

Transport Planning Officer
Officer authorised to sign on behalf of the
Director for Strategic Planning & Infrastructure

09/10/2025

Comment Date: Thu 04 Sep 2025

The proposals seek to construct an additional hardstand and secondary access alongside the erection of a boundary wall at the above-mentioned property. The Local Highway Authority (LHA) would be unable to support the proposed development.

The property is served with an existing hardstand and garage with access taken from Tuxton Close to the rear. The proposals seek to create an additional hardstand to the front of the property served by a new access from Yealmpstone Drive.

As stated within paragraph 13.89 of the SPD, any vehicle crossing should be located at least 10m from a junction. The proposed secondary access is located approximately 1.4m from the junction with Tuxton Close which gives rise to concerns of highway safety due to the potential for vehicle-to-vehicle conflict between cars accessing/egressing the hardstand and the junction.

For this reason, the LHA would recommend the application for refusal.

Incidentally, the LHA would not raise any in-principle objections to the erection of the boundary wall along the eastern boundary of the property as sufficient levels of inter-visibility would be maintained at the existing access point from Tuxton Close.

Recommendations:

Support
No objection
No objection subject to appropriate mitigation (as identified below)
Object to application X

If 'object' on what grounds?

Reasons for Refusal:
SUB-STANDARD ACCESS
The proposed means of access to the development hereby proposed is unsuitable for its intended use and the associated increase in use of the access by vehicular traffic as a result of the development would give rise to conditions likely to cause:
(a) Prejudice to public safety;
(b) Interference with the free flow of traffic on the highway;
(c) Unwarranted hazard to vehicular traffic
which is contrary to Policy DEV29 of the Plymouth & South West Devon Joint Local Plan 2014-2034 and Paragraphs 115-117 of the NPPF December 2024.



The proposed development has been considered in accordance with the Councils current Development Plan Policies and having regard for the National Planning Policy Framework.



Abbie Perry

Transport Planning Officer
Officer authorised to sign on behalf of the
Director for Strategic Planning & Infrastructure

04/09/2025