A SCHEME is in the pipeline which could see up to 110 houses, more than half of them affordable homes, built on a greenfield site on the edge of Tavistock.

Mark Scoot, of Amethyst Planning, last week told Tavistock Town Council's planning committee the project was in the 'very early stages', but would involve the use of land to the north of the allotments at Butcher Park.

The 5.67-hectare site was granted planning permission by a planning inspector three years ago for construction of a caravan park — West Devon Borough Council had twice turned down the plans the previous year.

Mr Scoot said the project would be undertaken by developers Trand in conjunction with Devon and Cornwall Housing: 'We are looking at 58 affordable units and about 52 marketable, which works out at about 53% affordable housing.

'At the moment we have shown the site could deliver two, three, four and five bedroom houses, although I think Devon and Cornwall Housing will be wanting two and three bed units predominantly.

'The housing association will make the decision on what they need and we will build it into the scheme.'

So far, space for parking on the proposed new estate was at a rate of two spaces per unit, plus visitor parking areas.

Hedges within the site would be retained and landscaping buffers constructed. Larger detached and semi-detached properties would be at the top of the land, to reduce the appearance of density from views to the site.

The middle areas would be predominantly semi-detached dwellings and terraces, with the lower area an 'eclectic mix of higher density terraced housing'.

Mr Scoot said it was accepted that the scheme would mean increased traffic — the developers would be working closely with highways to come up with acceptable solutions. The issue of lighting would also have to be addressed.

A footpath, created by narrowing the main road up the hill to the entrance of the site and which was included in the planning consent for the caravan park, would be utilised for the housing development.

Mr Scoot told councillors: 'Five hundred people are looking for housing in Tavistock at the moment — we think this scheme could go some way to address these figures.

'We are in the very early stages at the moment and there is a lot to do with the affordable housing officers and the planning officers. We would also want to work with the allotment holders.

'We would be pleased to come back and talk to yourselves and we will be undertaking a full consultation. The intention is to submit a planning application during the summer of this year.'

Subject to planning consent, Mr Scoot said the site could be delivering affordable housing in the community by 2014.

Cllr John Sellis said: 'I am concerned about the number of people using the highway to get into and out of the estate — what are you going to do about pedestrian access?

'It's a very narrow road, very busy and very fast. Two trucks can barely pass each other at the narrowest point. With the amount of affordable housing you are talking about, the chances are that there will be young children walking to school along that road.'

Cllr Philip Sanders was also concerned about the narrow road, and asked Mr Scoot how much 'money was in the pot' regarding Section 106 contributions.

Mr Scoot said developers were likely to be looking at bus subsidies in the area for a three-year period, equalling a £75,000 contribution, plus probably around £100,000.

The Butcher Park land was granted planning permission in 2010 for 52 timber-clad caravans, and an administration building.

West Devon Borough Council had argued that there was adequate provision for static caravans locally, and that a caravan park would constitute unnecessary development in the countryside. But planning inspector Mike Robins upheld an appeal by site owner 3H Investments Ltd, saying it was a well-designed, well-landscaped scheme which would increase tourism capacity in the area.

Cllr Sanders, chairman of the borough's planning committee at the time, slammed the inspector's decision. He said it had been taken without 'intimate knowledge of the area' and 'accountability for the result', which would involve the 'desecration of this unique rural gateway to the town'.