A CONTROVERSIAL scheme to provide 42 houses at Pentillie Road in Bere Alston was given the go-ahead by planners this week on condition that drainage issues are sorted out. Opponents raised major concerns over the disposal of sewage and surface water, proposals for which they said were 'seriously defective'. Outline permission was granted for residential development on the site last year but the layout, number of houses, access arrangements and drainage issues were the subject of a reserved matters application by Cavanna Homes. Cavanna is proposing to build a mix of four, three and two-bedroom houses and flats, including 15 affordable housing units. Plans also include 71 parking spaces, associated open space and play areas. Bere Ferrers Parish Council opposed the scheme on the grounds of over density. Similar concerns were raised in 47 letters of objection from local residents who commented on increased traffic and pressure on country roads, inadequacy of local facilities and employment and a sewerage system which was at capacity. Ward member for Bere Ferrers Cllr Christine Grills told West Devon Council's planning committee on Tuesday that the houses in The Square were at a much lower level than the development site and she did not see how the surface water could be retained and not be a cause of trouble to other residents. 'The land slopes away quite drastically and there are always going to be problems in that area,' she said. Planning consultant for Cavanna Homes James Stacey said the company had been negotiating with the council over the last seven months and the layout had been changed with over one sixth of the site now dedicated to open space. The majority of the homes were arranged around the edge of the site so there was no overlooking and the density was 35 dwellings per hectare, 'the lower end of Government guidance on density and entirely appropriate in a village setting'. He said tenuation or holding tanks were being proposed instead of soakaways for surface water. The council made it a condition of planning permission that drainage matters would have to be resolved before any development work could start.
