Officials back 450 homes after local opposition

3 hours ago

Alison StephensonLocal Democracy Reporting Service

News image — Locals say the 30% affordable housing allocation for the site at Brynsworthy near Barnstaple is not enough

North Devon Council The picture shows a wide stretch of green farmland bordered by trees, with a housing estate sitting along the left edge of the scene. The homes are arranged in neat rows with tiled roofs, and they back directly onto the open field. The field itself is mostly flat. — Locals say the 30% affordable housing allocation for the site at Brynsworthy near Barnstaple is not enough

A plan for up to 450 new homes on farmland has got backing from planning officers despite strong local resistance over stretched local services.

More than 120 objections have been lodged against the scheme at Brynsworthy near Barnstaple, which was rejected two years ago for falling outside the development boundary.

The developer, Wessex Strategic Ltd, has returned with a revised bid for the site off the A39 that includes 30% affordable housing and a community hub.

North Devon Council officers say the area's shortage of housing land and new national rules mean the council must take a fresh view - it will debate the plans on Wednesday.

North Devon Council An artist's impression of the central open space area for the proposed development at Brynsworthy. In a cartoon style a large woodland area is seen with houses around the development. — The site is located at Bynsworthy, off the A39

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Council officers said the benefits of new homes, jobs and community facilities outweighed the drawbacks.

Opponents said local schools, GP surgeries and buses were already stretched, and they believe the roads would not cope, said the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS). They also argued the affordable housing share should be higher than 30%.

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