A DECISION on an application for a residential development for 72 properties in Okehampton has been deferred by West Devon Borough Council for further clarification.
The application for the homes — consisting of 48 houses and 24 flats — has been submitted by Barratt for three separate parcels of land off the North Road link.
At the recent planning meeting, officers asked councillors for guidance on two specific points — affordable housing and the loss of a hedge.
It was agreed that social housing was a priority as far as Okehampton was concerned.
A recent Housing Needs Survey demonstrated a sizeable shortfall in affordable housing in Okehampton. The proposal for the next Local Plan is that it will contain a target of 40 per cent affordable housing for residential sites.
However, with regard to this development officers requested a provision of 20 per cent affordable housing on site as the 40 per cent target has not been formally adopted.
Planning committee chairman Roger Mathew said: 'There would be support for 14 affordable houses on the site — and we would wish to see them dispersed, perhaps amont all three sites.'
The loss of a hedge was also an issue officers sought guidance on as it bisects one of the sites. Although the principal landscape officer has objected to the loss of the hedge if was felt the retention would create a substantial division on what is a small site.
Cllr Noel Cartwright said he was 'not in the slightest doubt' that the hedge should go. 'The retention of the hedge isn't essential in this development,' he said.
The developer submitted a report showing that the majority of trees within the hedge were in poor condition — but that two of the best oaks would be retained.
It was agreed to hold a site visit and ask for a presentation to be held by the developers.