DETAILED plans for a controversial development of 255 homes on the outskirts of Teignmouth will be voted on next week.
Outline permission was granted in 2014 for the site at Higher Exeter Road, but Teignbridge’s District Council’s planning committee is now to consider a ‘reserved matters’ application for the appearance, landscaping, layout and scale of the properties.
Under the plans, 242 homes, including 10 flats, will be constructed by developers – while 13 custom-build plots will also be provided.
A quarter of the homes (64) will be designated as ‘affordable’ (typically 80 per cent of market rate) and include a mix of affordable rent and shared ownership.
A report to the committee recommending approval reveals 445 letters of objection have been received, compared to just 10 in support. More than 100 separate concerns have been listed, including about the impact on the countryside and on the character of Teignmouth and the Teign Estuary.
Objectors also took aim at the density of the scheme, how the ‘properties in this elevated site would be overbearing and dominant,’ along with raising further ecological concerns and fears for increased traffic and congestion.
Teignmouth Town Council submitted a letter of objection, which states: ‘Key issues currently affecting Teignmouth include congestion and poor air quality in Bitton Park Road, inadequate primary healthcare (the much-needed health and wellbeing centre is not off the drawing board) and schools at or exceeding reasonable capacity.
‘None of these will be mitigated by a development which will see an increase in excess of 300 cars, a population increase of around 700 (about 4 per cent) and four classrooms of school age children.’
From the 10 letters in favour, the ‘lack of affordable housing in [the town]’ and how the development would ‘create local jobs and increase tourism’ were given as some of the reasons to support.
Outlying why the planning officer recommends approval, the report says ‘planning permission has already been granted for this development’ and, taking into account revisions, the benefits of approving are ‘considered to outweigh the impacts’ subject to certain conditions such as developer contributions.
The proposed development includes wildlife areas and open space totalling approximately 15 acres, a community orchard, grassland and hedge and tree planting. A formal play area is planned, along with two other ‘informal’ spaces for play.
The site in Teignmouth has been allocated for housing in the neighbourhood plan, along with land around New Road.
In March the document said: ‘At the current time, the population of the town looks likely to increase in the long-term.’
The planning committee will decide on the application on Tuesday, November 23.