Land west of Oaklands (Wood_01)

The emerging East Devon Local Plan also identifies a second site in Exton – Land west of Oaklands (Wood_01) – as a Preferred Allocation for around 14 dwellings (earlier drafts referred to approximately 17 homes).

Although smaller than the main proposal on Land north and east of Exton Farm (Wood_28), this allocation cannot be viewed in isolation. The draft policy explicitly requires pedestrian and cycle links between the two sites, confirming that they are intended to function together. When combined with the addition of 10 homes created in the redevelopment of Exton Farm, the three developments would deliver up to 69 new homes in a small Service Village that currently has limited facilities and constrained road access.

Both sites would place additional pressure on the same local network, including the A376 and, in the case of the larger scheme, Mill Lane. The cumulative effect of the two allocations would significantly increase traffic, demand for local services, and the overall scale of change to the character of Exton. Treating them separately risks understating the true impact on the village