Councillors in West Devon are mulling over employing more staff as planning applications threaten to go through the roof.

Planning chiefs will tell members of the borough council’s hub committee on Tuesday that the number of applications has increased by 12 per cent over the last two years, with the trend expected to continue.

A report to the committee is asking councillors to consider employing six extra posts at a cost of £71,000. The staff will be ‘shared’ with neighbouring South Hams District Council.

The new staff, should they be approved, would consist of four planning specialists and two legal specialists, who would be involved in enforcement issues, which are also increasing.