Proposals for the infrastructure that is meant to bring investment and make the planned Holsworthy agri-business centre a reality have hit an objection from Devon County Council’s flood risk team.
Torridge District Council has applied to itself as the planning authority seeking hybrid planning permission for the project.
A hybrid planning application in this instance comprises two parts. It includes full planning permission for enabling development, such as access, highways infrastructure, groundworks, drainage, landscape, entrance signage and the formation of development plots. It also includes an outline planning application for agricultural business centre buildings.
The application is structured so that, if approved, it would let Torridge District Council carry out what it calls the “infrastructure” aspect, namely the layout of the site, connecting roads and the necessary enabling works. The construction of the actual agri-business centre would then be driven by third parties.
As part of the planning process, statutory bodies such as parish councils and consultee teams are asked for their input before a final decision is made.
While most comments submitted so far are either positive or raise no objection, Devon County Council’s flood risk team has said it objects to the application. In its view, the information provided by Torridge District Council’s planning agents on potential flood risk for the site is insufficient.
The objection stated: “At this stage, we object to this planning application because we believe it does not satisfactorily conform to Policy ST03 of North Devon and Torridge Local Plan 2011 – 2031.
“The applicant will therefore be required to submit additional information in order to demonstrate that all aspects of the proposed surface water drainage management system have been considered.”
Among the criticisms in the document accompanying the objection was the applicant’s proposal to use an underground system to drain water from the site. The plans refer to six attenuation tanks across seven plots and permeable paving. The water would then discharge into an attenuation basin before flowing at a restricted rate of 23 litres per second via a hydrobrake into an existing ditch within the site boundary.
Devon County Council’s flood risk team said that, in its view, underground systems cannot be considered truly sustainable means of drainage because they do not provide the necessary water quality, public amenity or biodiversity benefits.
It has called on Torridge District Council to use above-ground sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) unless it can robustly demonstrate that they are not feasible.
The flood risk team has also asked the applicant to demonstrate that the outfall and ditch are in its land ownership, with additional photos submitted.
It means that if the additional information and steps are not taken, Devon County Council’s flood risk team will maintain its objection to the application.
The Environment Agency, in its consultation response, has said it has no objections to the application.
The full application can be viewed on the Torridge District Council planning portal under reference 1/0502/2026/LA.
Devon Flood Team Objects to Holsworthy Agri-Business Plans