INITIAL plans for a major development in Okehampton, including a second primary school, could result in traffic chaos if they are approved.

That was the view of town councillors at a public exhibition last week into the outline scheme for 150 new houses on land off Crediton Road and adjacent to Chichacott Road.

But the development company behind the scheme stressed that all comments would be taken into consideration before it is finally put forward.

The housing estate and school would be accessed from a single estate road formed off Crediton Road. At the preview showing of the plans, this access road and provision for the site was a big talking point for town and parish councillors.

Former town mayor Cllr Maureen McDonald said the plans 'worried' her: 'A single entrance and exit junction on Crediton Road could very well cause accidents. On top of that, with mothers dropping their children off at school, and with that many houses there, it would be chaos.

'And where will people shop? There is no provision for the new houses for people to shop. They would need at least something that end of town.'

The vast majority of the development would fall within the boundary of the Okehampton Hamlets Parish Council, whose chairman, Derek Webber, said: 'I'm not sure what to make of these plans. I know for one thing that all the people interested in this land for new football and rugby pitches would be very disappointed to see this land go for houses.

'The single access road is supposedly wide enough for traffic and for a drop-off point for the school. That would be very important because I would hate to see parents stopping on the main Crediton Road to drop off their children. That would be a disaster.

'I'd also like to see something like a mini Tesco or shop included in these plans. Somewhere where those living at that end of town could go and get a Sunday paper, or do some of their shopping. People will also need a community centre or some kind of community building at that end of town.'

The exact mix of houses and bungalows on the site will be determined at a later stage and application — 40% of the houses would be made affordable housing to fall in line with council guidelines.

The plans are undergoing a public consultation period until March 28. People can contact the developer, Hannard Developments Ltd, and share their thoughts on them.

Spokesperson Naomi Crassweller said: 'Following the consultation, all the comments we receive are considered to shape the outline plan. At this stage, aspects like the layout and the single access road would be the main considerations taken from the consultation.

'If and when the plans get to the reserved matters application stage, we will take on board comments on housing architecture and style, and other comments made during this process.'

The proposed school would be able to accommodate 420 pupils. Devon County Council has agreed in principle that subject to planning consent being granted for the scheme, they would buy the school site and oversee the development of educational provision.

Jon Sharpe from the county council's capital development and waste management department said the county council was trying to secure a site for a second school: 'It may be an academy or a free school. The way it tends to work now is the authority secures a site, and then goes out and sees who would want to build a school there.

'There is a future need, and securing a site would future-proof for that need. The current school is fine for now but there will be a second school needed in future. The cost of the site would be made public when confirmed.'

To find out more and share your views with the development team, visit the website http://www.landoffcreditonroad.co.uk">www.landoffcreditonroad.co.uk