APPEALS for two separate development sites in West Devon to be included in the borough?s Local Plan were among items discussed recently at informal planning hearings.

The hearings were part of the ongoing local plan review inquiry where developers have the chance to raise objections to aspects of the ten-year plan.

Inquiry inspector William Carlow heard an objection concerning land to the east of the Priory in Whitchurch, which lies just outside the current development boundary

The land, owned by Mr and Mrs Donne from Whitchurch, was included in the first draft of the new local plan, meaning it was considered suitable for housing development.

But, following representations and further investigation, the local authority decided to delete the 1.3-hectare plot from the second draft because the proposed development did not meet density requirements set out in planning policy guidance note 3 (PPG3).

West Devon planning officers believe the site could not fulfil minimum density requirements of 30 dwellings per hectare without having a significant impact on the character of the surrounding area and the neighbours.

Peter Rowan of Rowan Edwards planning consultants, representing Mr and Mrs Donne, said: ?PPG3 says cram in as many houses as possible, but given the nature of the land the full weight of PPG3 should not be put on this site.

?There should be an element of flexibility.?

But West Devon head of planning, Stephen Gill, said: ?PPG3 has to be considered. There must be a minimum density of 30 houses per hectare. That?s policy and not guidance.

?This site is a classic example of the implications of those parameters. It?s important that sites are compatible and sympathetic to their surroundings.?

Mr Carlow decided to adjourn the case for site inspections.

A similar case involved a proposed residential development on a plot of land to the East of Milltown Lane at Northlew. The site currently lies just to the north of the development boundary, and the owner, Mr Squire, wishes to build three houses on it.

But the planning authority recommended the boundary should not be altered because the development would create ?an undesirable extension of the village into the open countryside?.

Mr Rowan, representing the land-owner, said: ?This seems a reasonable proposal. Northlew must be given some room for expansion and to provide for dwellings for local need.

?Northlew, as well as having a pub, has a thriving primary school which should be supported with the potential for additional pupils.?

A decision was adjourned by Mr Carlow to allow further investigations to be made.

The hearings relating to the Local Plan are being held in the West Devon Borough Council chambers in Okehampton.

The Local Plan sets out the council?s policies for the development and use of land in the borough for the next ten years.

The first draft of the plan went before the public in September 2000, and the second draft, now under review, was produced in April last year.

Almost 1,900 representations were received although some have now been withdrawn.

The inquiry programme can be viewed by the public at both borough council receptions in Tavistock and Okehampton and at the town libraries.