230 new homes on the edge of the A38 in Chudleigh objected by councillors

Chudleigh town council has lodged a ‘strong objection’ to revised plans for 230 new homes on the edge of the A38.

Outline planning permission for the Station Hill development on the edge of Chudleigh — which could see 230 homes built and 300 jobs created — was granted by Teignbridge planners in 2014.

Developers have submitted the reserved matters application to planners for the scheme that will comprise of a mixture of two-bed flats and two, three and four-bedroom homes, and will also include 46 affordable homes and 12 self-build plots.

But Chudleigh town council’s planning committee have said they wish to lodge a strong objection to the application.

Town clerk, John Carlton, said: “The major concern that councillors have is the lack of connectivity for pedestrians and cyclists from the proposed development to the town. 230 dwellings will generate significant children who will need to access the primary school and the preferred pedestrian and cycling route to the school and town would be via Station Hill.

“However, it is acknowledged that the pavements on Station Hill are simply not wide enough to provide a safe pedestrian route as it is impossible for pedestrians to pass one another without them walking on the road. The alternative pedestrian route is via Oldway, and this is also dangerous given the volume of traffic generated by the existing 300 homes in Oldway, so as things stands, the development is not sustainable.”

But Mr Carlton added: “The proposed closure engendered considerable opposition from residents who were concerned that the closure would be create a situation whereby there was only one route in and out of town. It is therefore disturbing to read that the Green Spaces and Active Leisure team appear to favour the closure of Oldway as the only way of providing a safe pedestrian and cycling route. This is not a solution that is acceptable to the community.”