THE go-ahead has been given for a development of nearly 100 new homes on green fields on the outskirts of Exeter.

The city council’s planning committee voted by six to five to approve the plan for Pendragon Road, despite hearing it would come at the expense of the “rurality and tranquility” of the area.

Developers will be told to make half of the homes “affordable”.

But Cllr Michael Mitchell (Lib Dem, Duryard and St James) called for assurances on that. “Do developers use this as a ploy, and then claw back at a later stage when permissions are granted?” he asked.

He said the council was in “troubled, muddy waters” over the application.

Earlier this year a government inspector overruled the council when it turned down almost identical plans for the land near the Mincinglake park area.

At the time the council claimed the houses would harm the character and landscape of the hills to the north of the city, but a government inspector said the land was needed for new homes.

Now despite their victory at appeal, the developers have come back to the city council with a fresh plan. Nobody was there from Ashburton-based Land Promotion Group to explain why.

Objector Dr Gillian Baker told the committee the city now had more land for housing supply than it needed. “We are in an incredibly strong position to stick to our principles and aspirations for Exeter as a green and liveable city,

“This proposal is not for the common good of the city. It is not for the good of Exeter.”

Cllr Ruth Williams (Lab, Mincinglake and Whipton) said the harm strongly outweighed the benefits, and described it as “incongruous piecemeal development”.

Cllr Zoe Hughes (Lab, Pennsylvania) said it was important to get developers to commit to maintaining public open spaces such as the one planned as part of the Pendragon Road homes, while Cllr Andrew Ketchin (Green, Newton and St Leonards) said the plan was not sustainable.

But committee chairman Cllr Paul Knott (Lab, Exwick) pointed out that the council’s previous objections to the scheme were rejected by the government inspector.

“They were found wanting,” he said. “I find it impossible to overrule the officers’ opinion on this.”

The developers will make half of the homes “affordable” and keep 10 per cent of the site as public open space.

They must donate £395,000 for highways work in Pinhoe and further funds for a play area and multi-use games area at Pendragon Road, for NHS services and environmental projects.

Guy Henderson