A MAJOR development of 257 new homes will be built near Crediton.

Mid Devon District Council’s planning committee voted through the final stage “reserved matters application” by Bellway Homes on Wednesday, March 1, for land at Creedy Bridge (Pedlarspool), in Sandford Parish, to the north-east of the town.

The development will include play areas, as well as land set aside for five gypsy and traveller pitches, a primary school and for the relocation of Crediton Rugby Club.

The housing mix features 201 market homes and 56 properties classed as “affordable” – typically defined as up 80 per cent of market rates – with a mixture of one-to five-bedrooms.

Recommending approval, the planning officer’s report said the scheme constitutes a “high quality design that is locally distinctive that satisfies local and national planning policy”.

But a number of objections were raised against the application, with concerns including a potential flood risk for the new rugby pitches, the loss of current agricultural land, a “poor quality design,” and increased noise, light and traffic pollution.

Others complained of too many parking spaces, that “development should be on brownfield land,” the properties would cause a “harm to biodiversity” and a perceived lack of safe active travel (walking and cycling) routes.

The lack of futureproofing of the properties was also criticised. Gas boilers are proposed for the properties, although solar panels will be provided on all but six thatched properties.

However, Andrew Ross, speaking on behalf of the developer, said: “Bellway are confident the details for approval will ensure a successful and high-quality scheme for Crediton, with buildings designed to provide high-quality, modern accommodation responding to positive aspects of local distinctiveness.”

Summing up, Mid Devon’s development manager Angharard Williams said that in planning terms it was “a very, very good” and “very high quality scheme,” and added it could not consider other matters previously agreed in the original outline application stage.

Councillors approved the application, subject to a number of conditions. Seven were in favour with two abstentions.

The approval includes highways access points for the potential new school and relocation of the rugby club, but those projects will require separate planning applications.