Exeter Planning helps school secure rural site contrary to development plan

A proposed independent special school for pupils excluded from mainstream school, located in the Devon countryside, won the support of an inspector.

The local plan supported new community facilities such as schools but set out an expectation that these would be in or close to an urban location and/or meet a local need.

As the school would occupy a house and extensive grounds in a rural location, and draw pupils from across the county, it did not meet these criteria.

Other local plan policies sought to minimise travel.

Despite the conflict of the proposal with development plan policies, the inspector found material a significant need for this type of school within the county and support from NPPF paragraph 94 for school places that meet the needs of the community.

He also stated that as the school was predicated on outdoor learning, it required a rural location, where it would likely be beyond the reach of public transport. In his view these considerations justified a departure from the development plan and he allowed the appeal.

Inspector: Matthew Jones; Written representations