Part 3
3.44 Whiddon Down
3.44.1
Whiddon Down is located on the
northern boundary of the National Park,
at the place where the A382 running
south connects with the old A30.
The new A30 trunk road lies a little
distance to the north. Along with
Crockernwell and Cheriton Cross,
Whiddon Down was one of the post
points on the turnpike road that formed
part of the main Penzance to London
route. The turnpike toll house may
be seen at the southern end of the
present settlement and the Post Inn
is still in operation. Farming has also
been an important component of the
local economy.
3.44.2
The National Park boundary runs
through the settlement, meaning
that the part lying to the north of
the old A30 lies within the West Devon
local planning area. The village has
a limited range of local facilities and
services, but the A30 service station
at the Merrymeet junction can act
as a local store. The village is located
within Drewsteignton parish. The
results of a local housing survey
published in 2007 showed a need
from within Drewsteignton parish
for four affordable homes. A scheme
was completed in 2011 at Lamb’s Park
in the village of Drewsteignton which
met this need.
Conserving the quality of the
built environment
3.44.3
There has been a small amount of
development over the years; the greater
proportion has been affordable housing
for local needs, including housing
association provision at Turnpike Close.
3.44.4
The essential distinctiveness of
Whiddon Down results from its
openness and loose assemblage and low
height of dwellings and other buildings.
There are good views south to the
moorland of Dartmoor and north to
the Culm Measures of mid/north Devon.
190
Dartmoor National Park Authority
Development Management and Delivery Development Plan Document
Adopted Version July 2013
It still retains a sense of its heritage
as a post town on a nationally
important route. However, over the
years there has been some feeling
that a little further development at
this settlement would strengthen
its cohesiveness and reinforce its
sense of place.
3.44.5
There are no specific policies or
proposals for this settlement.
The policies in the Core Strategy
and the general policies of this
document will be sufficient for
development management purposes.
© Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey 100024842.
Dartmoor National Park Authority
Development Management and Delivery Development Plan Document
Adopted Version July 2013
191