CONTROVERSIAL plans for 65 houses on prime agricultural land in North Tawton have been approved by West Devon councillors – by just one vote.

Councillors voted six votes in favour to five against Wainhomes’ plans to build an extension to the Batheway Fields estate.

The application was discussed at the development control and licensing meeting on Tuesday.

The committee heard that residents did not want more housing and that the junction of the estate with the main road was already dangerous.

However, they backed the application, which planning officers were recommending for approval, after hearing that the council could not currently demonstrate a ‘five-year land supply’ as demanded by the Government.

Wainhomes is now expected to drop its appeal against West Devon Borough Council’s refusal of the same developer’s application to build 100 houses on the same site.

Borough councillor Louise Watts, who represents North Tawton, told the meeting: ‘There is a big concern about this. This is a very significant development on the edge of town which isn’t wanted by our residents.

‘I also dispute the economic benefits. There isn’t the employment in the area to sustain 65 houses.

‘We only have two or three shops in the town, and another one is closing, so that will leave us with just a fish and chip shop and the Spar. The town is declining, and the current development has not benefited us in any way.’

She said there was particular concern about more traffic at the junction from the estate with the main road through the town, where there was an accident last December.

‘As someone who drives on that road every single day, I can tell you that you can’t see that junction as you approach it. People don’t see the 30mph sign until they are on top of it,’ she said. ‘It is really dangerous.’

Planner Jamie Grant, from Wainhomes (South West), said the development would provide much-needed affordable homes – with 26 of the houses to be offered to local people for rent or part-rent part-buy on a shared ownership basis.

However, North Tawton Town Council vice chairman Jean Trewhitt said the community were working was providing this housing on brownfield sites within the town through its neighbourhood plan.

‘The neighbourhood plan group does not dispute the need for growth over the next 20 years. However, the preference is for smaller sites within the settlement of the town. It should be noted that the town has experienced significant development over the past ten years.’

With five councillors voting against the application and five in favour, Councillor Philip Sanders, chairing the meeting, cast the decisive vote in favour.

‘This is an incredibly difficult one but frankly we are in a straitjacket at the moment, all local authorities are, regarding government planning policy,’ he said.

‘I think there is little I can do other than accept the professional advice of our planning officer.’