A MAJOR part of the new housing development earmarked for Okehampton moved a step closer this week.

Developer Persimmon Homes Ltd has lodged an application to build 129 units on land off Crediton Road. The plan for the homes, with associated garages, road, footpaths, public open spaces and drainage, will go before West Devon Borough Council later this year.

The borough council's plan, based on Government directives, would see a minimum of 900 new homes built in Okehampton by 2026.

But the Okehampton Sustainable Development Group, which is opposed to the proposals, says the town could be ruined if they go ahead.

Group member Carol Hookway said: 'This town has grown so much over the last ten years. It started off as a pretty little market town and it's being ruined.

'If we continue to build onto Okehampton the way we have been, we will spoil the town. A lot of the buildings are not in keeping with the town.'

Another member of the group, Pam Stewart, said: 'The traffic in Okehampton is absolutely dreadful as it is, even during the school holidays. Adding to the population is just going to add to the problem.'

Mrs Stewart said if the development went ahead, it would affect more than the growing number of people in the town: 'It's not just the population, it's the problem with the sewers, the school and the traffic.

'I have a two bedroomed flat. If a couple of my friends found themselves homeless I would take them in, but if 30 of my friends turned up, I just couldn't accommodate them all and that is what they are doing to Okehampton. How is that helping the town?'

Campaigners last October took their protest to the door of 10 Downing Street when they presented a 2,653-signature petition highlighting their concerns.

West Devon Borough Council's principal planning officer Ed Persse said the authority had identified where the major housing should go.

He said: 'We are required to provide the suitable area and then the housing.

'This particular site has been around for a while now and if it all goes ahead, there will be an element of affordable housing too.

'We have to look into everything, the impact the development would have on the highway, the wildlife habitat and of course any drainage issues.

'If the designated housing site is acceptable, then we will make sure the design and landscape all blends in and sits well with the properties that are immediately adjacent to the development.'

The borough council's chief planning officer Jane Hart said the land in the Permisson application borders Crediton Road and Saddlers Way. She said: 'It is important to make clear that if the plans go ahead, vehicle access won't be going through the existing Saddlers Way but will come off Crediton Road.'

The borough council's produced its preferred option for development following local consultation last year. It is for 900 additional homes in Okehampton with all the growth on the east side of town apart from an expansion of open space and playing fields next to the community college sports ground in the centre of town.

l A link road is being proposed between Exeter Road and Crediton Road

l further employment land in Exeter Road

l possible new railway station and primary school and community space

l improved bus services, footpaths and cycle links.

Town, borough and county councillor for Okehampton, Cllr Christine Marsh, has spoken of concerns that the eastern edge of Okehampton would become a separate community from the rest of the town.

'The town council is against all the development taking place on the edge of the town, in the east. West Devon was asked to look at some development in the west because the town council wants the town centre to still be in the centre of Okehampton.

'The answer we got back after the borough council spoke to everyone involved was that it was more sustainable in the east because that is where the employment land opportunities are, and the land we could get in the 106 agreement for recreation.'

Mayor of Okehampton Kay Bickley said: 'We don't want all the houses in the same eastern area and are worried about the infrastructure and the ability to cope.

'I can see the logic —Okehampton has a good commute road with the A30 connection for travel, transport and work and there is also a housing need for young people who can't get on the property ladder.

'If the housing association had a block of the development, it would mean affordable housing and give young people a chance.'