DETAILED plans for 20 new homes in Silverton have been approved despite several objections from locals.

Mid Devon District Council’s planning committee had previously rejected the initial outline application for the green field site, east of Tiverton Road and north of Applemede, but it was granted at an appeal.

The final stage “reserved matters” application for the appearance, landscaping, layout and scale of the properties was approved by the committee at a meeting on Wednesday, November 2.

There will be three properties with two bedrooms, 10 with three bedrooms and seven with four bedrooms.

Of the 20, seven will be “affordable” dwellings – classed as up to 80 per cent of local market rates – each property will be provided with an electric vehicle charging point.

Permission was granted despite dozens of public objections from local residents, as well as from Silverton Parish Council.

Its concerns included the impact the development would have on the character of the area “due to the design of houses, the position of the houses given the proposed increase in levels and the impact the development would have on the remainder of the village”.

The parish council also raised highway safety concerns particularly in relation to access for construction vehicles and the proposed access to the site itself.

It also criticised a perceived lack of parking and questioned “the affordability of the affordable housing for local residents”.

However, the planning officers’ report stated that Devon County Council’s highways department has no objection to the development.

In recommending approval, officers concluded: “This reserved matters application is considered to be acceptable and will have no adverse impact on local flood risk, ecology, archaeology, surrounding character, residential amenity and highway safety.”

They also said there was “appropriate drainage mitigation” despite several public commenters concerned about the potential of flooding due to the site’s topography.

Local flood experts said the proposed arrangement, which includes “the use of oversized pipes to store surplus surface water runoff and allow controlled disposal into the surface water sewer” is acceptable.

The application was approved by six votes to one, with three abstentions.