A MAJOR expansion of Cranbrook for up to 870 homes and other facilities has been agreed in principle.

East Devon District Council’s planning committee approved the outline application for much of the Bluehayes site, on the west of the town, at a recent meeting.

The town’s expansion also includes space for a primary school, sport and recreational facilities, community uses, green infrastructure, as well as a mixed-use area of shops, food and drink and professional services.

Changes to the highway network include a new roundabout on London Road, a new secondary route from Station Road, as well new access to Burrough Fields and Cranbrook railway station.

The Bluehayes site, which lies between the existing Cranbrook development and Broadclyst station, is one of four proposed expansion areas.

As a result, council officers recommended approval, concluding it would “support the growth of Cranbrook” and “make a significant contribution to local housing demands including affordable housing in a sustainable location”.

But some concerns were raised by public speakers, including on certain access points, the position of some facilities, and the development’s impact on the privacy of existing homes.

One local resident, speaking on behalf of Bluehayes Lane, wants mitigations against any “substantial loss of amenity” caused by the development, which she said could “remove the ability of our children to freely play and explore the lane”.

Broadclyst Parish Council also objected, with concerns including the development putting pressure on a nearby railway bridge and the potential impact on Station Road.

But an agent on behalf of the applicant, Taylor Wimpey UK, said there would be “wide benefits”, including “biodiversity net gain, active travel, healthy communities, affordable housing and custom self-build plots”.

A total of 15 per cent of the properties – around 131 – are planned to be “affordable”, while four per cent of the plots will be set aside for custom and self-builders.

“I believe that, working as groups of stakeholders together, the proposals will result in a community that residents and the council can rightly be proud,” the agent concluded.

Councillors approved the application by a margin of eight votes to one, subject to a number of conditions and a section 106 developer contribution towards local amenities being signed.

But one of those in favour, Steve Gazzard, added: “I do hope that concerns will be taken on board by the developer when we come to the full application.”

The final, detailed reserved matters application will be considered by the committee at a later date.