EDDC failed to determine application in time, because of delays caused by bid to get development site listed by English Heritage.

A public inquiry is to be held after East Devon District Council’s failed to determine a planning application for a retirement complex in Honiton.

Honiton Town Council’s bid to get the development site listed by English Heritage led to a delay which meant the district council failed to make a decision in the designated time.

The applicant, Churchill Independent Living Limited, has lodged the appeal with the Planning Inspectorate.

It wants to develop 41 sheltered housing apartments on land currently occupied by Holyshute House and Holyshure Cottage, in Monkton Road.

East Devon District Council says the appeal is to be dealt with by means of a public inquiry, though a date for the hearing has yet to be announced.

A spokesman told the Midweek Herald: “The appeal has been lodged on grounds of non-determination, because EDDC did not process the application in the designated time.

“After the application was validated, an objector applied for the building that the applicants were proposing to demolish to be listed. The applicant also needed to pay for a viability report.

“Due to the need to obtain a judgement from English Heritage as to whether the building should be listed, there was bound to be a delay. At the applicant’s request, and to save them paying for what might have been an abortive viability survey, we delayed a decision until English Hertiage ruled on the listed building issue.

“This delay took the application outside the designated time frame – which is why technically the applicants are now able to appeal.

Representations already made about the proposed development have been sent to the Planning Inspectorate in Bristol and those who have commented will be asked to attend the inquiry.

Further representations must be sent to the Planning Inspectorate before February 24.