A COUNTRYSIDE preservation charity has condemned a decision by borough councillors to vote through a development on prime farmland in North Tawton.

Councillors on West Devon Borough Council’s development control and licensing committee voted through Wainhomes’ plans to build 65 homes as an extension to the Batheway Fields estate.

The controversial decision was carried by just one vote – six votes in favour to five against – on Tuesday last week.

Director of the CPRE Devon Penny Mills said: ‘CPRE Devon is extremely disappointed at this outcome. The community didn’t want a development on this farmland, nor did the town council which clearly outlined its strong grounds for refusal. It is difficult to understand why half the committee voted against the wishes of the local people they are there to represent.’

The Devon branch of the CPRE joined North Tawton Town Council in objecting to the application, which was submitted by Wainhomes after their application for 100 houses on the same site was turned down by West Devon Borough Council earlier in the year.

Wainhomes had appealed against that decision, and the appeal was to have taken place on July 10.

The approval of the 65 homes for the site will double the number of houses on the Batheway Fields estate.