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The Estate comprises 3500 acres of land with 4 farms, woodland, 33 houses and approximately 3 miles of foreshore.
Through the proactive management of the Estate we aim to:
The Deer Park has altered very little since it was first depicted on a map in 1723. It contains a diverse range of trees, principally oak, lime and plane. There are remnants of c1710 avenues, nineteenth century exotics and more recently replacement plantings of oak, horse chestnut and copper beech.
The herd of fallow deer has been continuously maintained since before 1723 and numbers around 600.
The marsh was drained and a new river created c 1787. In 1816 the river was still 100 feet wide and Thomas Pain of Exminster was employed to contract it to 45 feet. The work cost over £800.
The Belvedere TowerThe Estate is fortunate enough to be positioned on the Exe estuary and has extensive views of the river Exe, Exeter, and the surrounding countryside. The erection of the Belvedere by the second Viscount Courtenay in 1773 considerably increased the scenic possibilities of the Estate. The Belvedere, a pseudo-medieval Gothic tower, became a romantic object in the landscape in its own right and subject to watercolours by Swete 1799 and various engravings. It is triangular in shape with turrets at the three corners.
Charles Fowler converted the Belvedere into two-storey accommodation between 1835 and 1839. Tragically, two fires in the post-war era gutted the building.
The Lawrence Tower at Haldon was built 15 years after the Powderham Belvedere.
The Third Viscount's friend, William Beckford, laid out a woodland garden at Fonthill to provide privacy and seclusion. The Fonthill garden is thought to be the inspiration for the Powderham Woodland Garden which was planted in the 1790s with a wide range of exotic species, from the Americas as well as from other places, in order to achieve a lush leafy glade. A summerhouse and a conservatory were added later.
James Wyatt, who designed the Music Room for the Third Viscount, may have designed the Summerhouse. It is gothic, castellated and made of Portland stone and brick.
The Plantation was begun in the late 18th century and consisted largely of larch. It is mainly commercial woodland. However, it continues to support a large number of mature trees and glades of value to wildlife. The retention of such features and of a diversity of species is an integral part of its management.
Within the Estate there are numerous potential short, medium and long-term development opportunities ranging from disused historic and farm buildings to land adjoining settlements.
Finding a viable use for such property is a long term goal for the Estate as part of our overall strategy to contribute to a vibrant and resilient community alongside sustainable land management. Furthermore, where possible, we like to help satisfy local need for both housing and commercial space. Examples of successful recent projects include:
In addition to the above, Teignbridge District Council have recently identified two sites adjoining Kenton which they may require to help meet their obligations to provide housing and infrastructure in the period to 2040. These sites, known as Witcombe Lane and South Town, fall within the Estate’s ownership. We have been asked to offer some initial thought to how those sites could deliver housing and additional benefits, such as possible enhancements to Kenton Primary School and additional biodiversity within the village. Below are some initial plans showing hypothetical development layouts as well as greenspace and other benefits.
These provisional allocations do not constitute a planning application of any form, rather they are a dialogue with, and initiated by, our local council, which Powderham is happy to support. We understand Teignbridge will now review these provisional allocations in more detail. If they were to be progressed any further, active community engagement will be a priority for the Estate to ensure a good understanding of local need to accompany the planning process. Having participated actively in the development of Kenton’s recent and successful Neighbourhood Plan, the Estate is well aware of sensitivities and concerns and wishes to engage accordingly.
The Estate would welcome comments on these two sites and in particular what types of community benefit could be fostered, whether this be onsite or elsewhere. Should you wish to make a comment, please feel free to do so via email to our Agents: [email protected]. When submitting your email, please ensure you have the subject line as ‘Powderham – Comment on Provisional Land Allocation’ to ensure comments are collated, responded to where appropriate, and considered within any future representations or applications.
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