AN outline plan for almost 150 new homes on a plot of land in Tavistock has been given the go ahead by planners, subject to the completion of legal agreements.

The plan, by Cavanna Homes (South West) Ltd, was an outline application, with some matters reserved, for the construction of up to 148 dwellings, including affordable and market housing, areas of open space and landscaping, a new vehicular access and associated site infrastructure on land adjacent to New Launceston Road.

The proposed site lies on three enclosed fields, which was previously given permission for a garden centre which has now lapsed.

In the report to the West Devon Borough Council planning and licensing committee, the planning case officer recommended that approval was delegated by the committee to the lead specialist in consultation with the chairman, subject to the completion of the Section 106 legal agreement.

The report stated that although the site was not allocated within the original West Devon adopted ‘Our Plan’ for development, it had been allocated within the new emerging Joint Local Plan.

It stated: ‘Residential development of this land, in this scale proposed, is considered by officers to lead to a development which will relate well to the existing built environment and will not impinge harmfully upon affected land designations. The site is appropriately connected to the wealth of facilities within Tavistock and while the site is relatively remote from the town centre, it is on existing bus routes and has reasonably good vehicular access towards the A386. The proposal seeks to achieve sustainable growth for the town by combining residential development with open space and recreational areas. Overall, the social and economic benefits of the proposal significantly and demonstrably outweigh the adverse impacts.’

The section 106 agreement — a legally binding contract between a developer and planning authority — for this application includes 25% affordable housing and financial contributions towards transport, education and open space.

At the meeting last week, speakers included the agent for the applicant, an objector, a representative of Tavistock Town Council and West Devon Borough Council (WDBC) ward members for the area.

Objections received relating to the application included highway and traffic issues, unnecessary extension of the town and intrusion into open countryside, impact on the gateway to town and World Heritage Site and several other issues.

Cllr Jeff Moody, WDBC ward member for the area, said: ‘I’ve major concerns with the traffic issues. One of the problems with Tavistock is that the traffic is funnelled through the town centre and I’m concerned about the cumulative effect it will have.

‘With the recently approved Butcher Park application, this and the Callington Road development of 750 houses, there will be nearly 1,000 houses with vehicles all wanting to go through Tavistock.’

Town councillor Dr Paul Ward said: ‘The town council have registered our objections to the development. We recognise the responsibility of the town to develop new housing, however, we’re very concerned about highways access. As far as I’m aware this proposed development has no schools, no shops, no employment opportunity — it is effectively a dormant development and people will have to go elsewhere. The impact on the town will be great.’

Cllr Bob Baldwin said: ‘We all have concerns regarding the traffic issues; it’s not just a single application which will increase the traffic it is a number of applications. The impact of this site alone is not massive and probably containable, but it’s the cumulative effect of the applications. However, I don’t think on traffic grounds alone we are on strong enough grounds to refuse it. I think also we are all not happy about the gradual erosion of green fields, but clearly there is a demand for new housing in West Devon. I, with some reluctance, will be supporting it.’

Cllr Diana Moyse stated that she was extremely worried about the highways issues and hoped that it would be refused.

Cllr Graham Parker reminded members that the council had been consulting about this site for around two-and-a-half years and it had been identified in the Joint Local Plan for development. He said: ‘I share the concerns with the road system but we’ve heard from Devon County Council highways that the system can accommodate this development and that is the test set out in the planning framework.’

Cllr Mike Benson said: ‘There are certain issues which raise concern but we have highlighted this site for a considerable time. The Government highlighted that we need considerably more housing, so I will be supporting it.’

Cllr Terry Pearce said: ‘If we carry on as we are now for the next 10/15 years with applications coming forward we are going to have gridlock in Tavistock. The cumulative effect of the development will have a major impact on the highway system in Tavistock. I plead that we look at creating a ring road in Tavistock. There are a number of people in the villages who don’t come into Tavistock in the summer because it’s too busy. We need to have some infrastructure planned for the future.’

Cllr Philip Sanders, chair of the planning committee, concluded by asking members to bear in mind that if councillors refused the application on highways issues, they would be doing so against the advice of the officers.

The committee voted nine in favour and one against.