A HOUSE could be built on an historic burial site in Tavistock despite objections from residents in the area.

Outline planning consent on the steeply sloping site at Mount Ford was last week granted by West Devon's planning committee.

Access to the site owned by Plymouth Community NHS Trust runs directly across land belonging to residents at Mount Ford cottages and into narrow Maudlins Lane.

Peter Rowan, agent for the applicant, said there were no objections to the application from the relevant authorities.

He said an expert's report was commissioned to investigate drainage problems.

'It clearly shows that development of the site will not exacerbate surface water run off.

'We really have gone as far as we can in trying to cover all the issues and objections. We have dotted every "i" and crossed every "t" — there are no reasonable grounds to refuse,' he said.

But Cllr Ted Sherrell said the site was 'totally unsuitable' for development, given the problems of access.

'Even one more house is one too many,' he said.

And John Mathis, who lives at Maudlins Park, was also worried about access and particularly concerned about drainage — a culvert runs beneath the area.

'Research has shown the culverts within the area differ in size over a considerably large area.'

He said the site was known to be a burial ground for the leper community which lived at Mount Ford in the Middle Ages and that up to 350 people could be interred there.

Cllr Dick Eberlie said although he had sympathy with the Trust's desire to see the site developed, he could not accept their application.

'It seems to me unsuitable and would certainly damage the amenities of the residents very significantly,' he said.

On these grounds he said there were 'solid grounds' for refusal.

A recorded vote to reject the application was lost by four votes to five — consent was granted by a two-vote majority.

A petition was raised against the proposed development by residents Theresa Lawson and Sara Batten, who were concerned about children and old people's safety in Maudlins Lane which has no pavements.

They said the lane was a busy pedestrian route used by children going to school, mothers with buggies and old people who regularly use it to get to the post office and Spar shop in Ford Street.

They were also concerned about wildlife on the site.