PLANS for 61 new residential dwellings, a medical centre and buildings for employment at North Tawton are to go before West Devon Borough Council's planning committee next week.

The application by Wainhomes (South West) Holdings Ltd comprises detailed plans for 61 residential dwellings, and associated open space, allotments and SUDS drainage areas on arable agricultural fields towards the west of the A3124 main road which serves the town.

The site is bounded to the north by 1970s residential bungalows located off Moor View.

The 4.4 hectare site is located outside, but immediately adjacent to, the settlement boundary of North Tawton as identified in the Local Plan.

The application also has an outline element relating to an employment area and medical centre facility.

The final layout and design of the employment area will be subject to a reserved matters application influenced by operator requirements. Access, appearance, layout, scale and landscaping of this portion of the site will be decided in this reserved matters application.

The medical centre facility would also be influenced by final Primary Care Trust requirements, but has been included within the scheme due to the need for improved medical facilities in North Tawton.

Twenty four of the 61 residential units, comprised of one bedroom flats, two and three bedroom bungalows and four bedroom detached houses, will be affordable housing.

North Tawton Town Council has supported the application, though there have been nine objection letters from local residents, citing the loss of agricultural land, increased traffic congestion, and a lack of consultation among the reasons to refuse the application.

One letter of support has been received.

Wallingbrook Health Group has also written a letter of support on the grounds that the current medical services in North Tawton need upgrading.

The planning officer has recommended that the council's planning committee delegate the decision to the development management manager to grant approval, subject to no new issues being raised from the second consultation period, which expires today (Thursday), and the satisfactory completion of the Section 106 agreements.