A PLANNING application for 37 new homes, including 11 affordable dwellings, in Bere Alston has been submitted to West Devon Borough Council.

The full application, which has been made on behalf of Burrington Estates, is for land adjacent to Woolacombe Road, near the entrance to the village.

Proposals are for four one-bedroom flats, eight two-bed homes, 15 three-bed houses and ten four-bed houses.

Within the application it stated that the Local Bere Peninsula Neighbourhood Plan had identified ‘the need for more affordable housing, bedroom space and land for self-build homes’.

It added that there was a vision, by the neighbourhood plan committee, for ‘84 additional homes to be built in the area by 2034, with provision for suitably sized housing for the local lifestyles’.

But one Bere Alston resident, who was involved in the community plan, said the application did not reflect the group’s plans or recommendations in a letter of objection to the planning authority: ‘This site is very exposed to prevailing winds. It will have a huge impact on the traffic flow and nearby pinch points, not only during construction but forever.

‘Footpaths to school, parks and shops are non existent in places. In summary it is a plan that only the landowner and developer will benefit from. I believe if it is allowed to continue it will be filled with a very transient population with no links to the community.’

One resident stressed that an increase of cars from the new homes would not be suitable for the current road infrastructure: ‘The majority of people living in these houses will not work locally but travel, mainly to Plymouth.

‘The local roads, especially the one over Denham Bridge, is not suitable for the current traffic densities and adding further vehicle load without upgrade is viewed as dangerous. Without suitable upgrade to road infrastructure off the Bere Peninsula this is viewed as unsustainable.’

In a letter of support for the scheme one Bere Alston resident said: ‘I believe that this is a fantastic addition to the village. Many people are looking for three to four bedroom properties and the area is sorely lacking in larger homes. The proposed homes, including affordable housing, are a much-needed addition to the area.’

The application site is identified in the neighbourhood plan and is the ‘most sustainable’ site for residential development in Bere Alston with the least constraints.

To view the application, visit West Devon Borough Council’s webpage, planning application reference 3424/19/FUL. Views can be submitted until January 21, 2020.