A CONTROVERSIAL plan to build 120 homes in a greenfield site in Whitchurch has been rejected by local councillors. At a special meeting of Tavistock Town Council on Tuesday (July 29) council members debated developer Redrow's application on land north of Anderton Lane. The plans would see the development of up to 120 residential dwellings, a community car park and associated cycle path adjacent to Tiddy Brook, open space, landscaping, sustainable urban drainage, vehicular access off Anderton Lane, pedestrian access and related infrastructure and engineering works. At the meeting, councillors had the time to assess and consider the planning application, which was submitted to West Devon Borough Council on July 4 after two public consultations held by Redrow. A total of 24 letters had been received by the town council, 21 to the town mayor Cllr Harry Smith, and a further 30 to deputy mayor Cllr Sue Bailey — all objecting to the proposal. Cllr Smith said the objections he had received included that the area was not designated within the West Devon Core Strategy, issues over traffic and with flooding. Cllr John Sellis had not received letters but had spoken to many local residents who were firmly against the proposed plans for development. He spoke of his concerns over pressures of additional traffic to Anderton Lane: 'I worry about the junctions at either end — an extra 200 houses means probably 300 cars at least. 'I was parked outside the post office [on Whitchurch Road] and in the space of about five minutes, there were about 20 cars that came from Horrabridge and passed the post office. 'There is only a small single lane passing the post office when cars are parked outside and it is a very dangerous junction, and the one at the other end is even worse onto the main road, so I would vote against the plan.' Cllr Dick Eberlie said: 'It is outside the borough council's development plan and they have a plan to build a number of houses — this is not part of it, and for that reason, there is no way that we the town council should, or could, possibly support this proposal. 'I think this council should be firmly opposed to this development at this stage.' Cllr Anne Johnson said: 'It is totally unsuitable for the building of 120 houses. I have issues with the surfaces and especially with the traffic and highways, so I'm very much against it.' After discussions, Cllr Smith proposed that due to the plan being outside the development core strategy, the council should not support the application. The proposal was agreed unanimously. Tiddybrook estate residents Marysu Godfrey and Alison Wright have been heavily involved with campaigning to stop the proposed Tiddybrook extension. Mrs Godfrey said: 'The flooding is a big problem and the traffic will be a big problem. We have been looking at West Devon Borough Council's website and there are at least 70 letters of objection. It is good to know that the town council is against the plan.' An outline planning application submitted on behalf of Redrow to the borough council states: 'The site presents a logical development opportunity in a sustainable location, located within a short walking distance of a range of facilities; and is suitable, available and developable in the short-term. 'The proposed development will provide a range of dwelling types, sizes and tenures which will promote a mixed and socially inclusive community. In addition, the site accommodates an area of land for potential use by Whitchurch Pre-school. 'The indicative master-plan provides for areas of attractive high quality landscaping alongside the retention of extensive landscape infrastructure through the site, which will offer a valuable amenity benefit to the local area.' l The final decision on the application will rest with West Devon Borough Council's planning comittee. The date for consideration is scheduled to be September 23. The closing date for consultations is today (Thursday).