New road safety measures bagged as homes approved at ‘accident hotspot’

Extra safety measures have been linked to the approval of new homes near a busy roundabout dubbed an “accident hotspot”.

Concerns were raised about the extra car journeys that would be created by the proposal for up to six homes on Honiton’s Beggars Lane, fearing that these additional drivers would add to the problems at the junction with Sidmouth Road.
In spite of this issue, and others, being raised by objectors, planners waived through the scheme, albeit with one of the 16 conditions relating to required highways improvements.
Highways experts suggested additional signs warning drivers about the upcoming mini roundabout and obscured Beggars Lane junction could be installed, as well as so-called ‘ghost’ white lining to make drivers more aware of the upcoming lane.
Ward member Councillor Jenny Brown (Conservative, Honiton St Michaels) had submitted comments ahead of the planning committee meeting dubbing the Beggars Lane/Sidmouth Road junction a “notorious hotspot for accidents”
County highways officers claimed there had only been two slight and one severe collisions at the mini roundabout between January 2018 and December 2022.
But some councillors at the planning meeting (Tuesday 19 August) noted that many of the accidents were relatively minor, meaning drivers tended not to report them.
One objector, Beggars Lane resident Gordon Martin, said drivers “constantly run the risk of an accident due to the current lack of visibility” when turning out of Beggars Lane and onto Sidmouth Road.
“Vehicles coming down Sidmouth Road don’t realise there’s a road on their left, and they go over the offset roundabout and straight through at speed,” he said.
“Road users take no notice of the signage and markings, so there needs to be further consideration over the junction as more accidents happen than suggested by the application.”
Mr Martin said a 2024 traffic survey revealed nearly 13,000 vehicles passed Beggars Lane on Sidmouth Road daily.
Fellow resident Josephine Palmer claimed the summary of the scheme by planning officers was “a lot of tosh”.
“I have lived in Beggars Lane for 20 years, and it is quiet, but this development is going to create absolute havoc,” she said.
“All the pictures you are being shown in this meeting look good on the screen, but I’d like some of you to come and walk down it to see exactly what it’s like.”
Ms Palmer added she was “totally against” the six homes being proposed, but might be less vociferously opposed if the number was dropped to four.
Stuart Houlet, the agent for the applicant – named as the Yeo/Power family – said the location was an “obvious in-fill plot”, adding that it had previously been identified as an urban location that could have taken around 13 homes.
“While that number wasn’t the subject of a detailed planning application, we have shown a willingness to evolve the scheme to a maximum of six dwellings, and the reduction in scale is due to the comments received,” he said.
The applicant had initially submitted a proposal for eight homes, but reduced this in light of objections.
Mr Houlet added the six new homes would “not significantly add to the volume of traffic” on the lane, and that the location would still retain its “semi-rural character”.
“This outline scheme shows a deliverable development sensitive to its surroundings can be achieved, and we will present full details at the reserved matters stage,” he said.
“This scheme will provide additional housing in a sustainable location with good access to amenities.”
The planning committee approved the outline proposal, meaning a more detailed application will now be submitted by the developer that will include more details, such as the style of homes and the materials to be used.