A DEVELOPER hoping to build bungalows and an extra care facility on part of a site off Plymouth Road in Tavistock which has been earmarked for hundreds of new homes is asking people to have their say before plans are formally submitted to West Devon Borough Council later this year.

The public consultation on the plans by Baker Estates for 45 homes, mostly bungalows, and an extra care ‘affordable’ apartment complex, follows approval of the Linden Homes development of 250 homes and two hectares of space for small businesses by West Devon Borough Council under delegated powers last month.

Baker Estates has sent out 500 newsletters to local residents and said it is now opening up a ‘two-way’ communication with residents, the town council and businesses in the area.

Consultation will end on August 4 with a view to submitting the application in September.

It will include a full detailed proposal for the bungalows and an outline application for the extra care element.

The developer plans to transfer the land on which the extra care facility would be built to West Devon Borough Council and a specialist provider would then deliver this part of the scheme.

Development director at Baker Estates Graham Hutton said it was hoped the provider would be the Guinness Partnership as the development would be similar to the partnership’s Quayside complex in Totnes and could potentially provide 20 jobs for local people.

Quayside contains 30 apartments for affordable rent to those over 55 with a connection in the area and a further 30 apartments are shared ownership. It has communal gardens, an assisted bathroom and a bistro and hairdressing salon, both of which are open to the public.

Access to all bar five of the homes on the new estate would be off the A386 with the remainder accessed from the existing lane that leads off Brook Lane. It is proposed that the remainder of that lane to the east would, at a future date, become pedestrian/cycle only save for existing farm access. This was to prevent it becoming a possible rat run in the future, said the developers.

Public open space of 0.4 hectares would be provided to the north of the site incorporating a children’s play area.

Speaking about the extra care apartments West Devon Borough Councillor Cllr Caroline Mott, lead member for environment, said: ‘Working alongside partners such as Devon County Council and a registered provider, it has been an identified need to provide this type of accommodation for a number of years.

‘The accommodation will aim to provide extra care to older people with additional needs which cannot be met within the borough at the moment.’

‘We encourage residents to engage directly to the developer’s consultation which closes on Tuesday, August 4 to give their views on the proposals.’

Mr Hutton said in light of the coronavirus pandemic the company had had to adapt its approach to consulting with the public. The newsletter can be viewed at www.bakerestatesconsultation.co.uk

He urged people to email [email protected] with any initial comments and said the company would provide a response as soon as possible.

Mr Hutton said there was an enormous under supply of bungalows in West Devon and the rest of the county and there had been a lot of positive feedback to the plans.

He urged people to get involved in the discussion to help shape the application ahead of its submission to the borough council.