PLANNERS have called for a developer's contribution towards education in Okehampton to be put in writing, before they decide whether to give a site to the east of Okehampton the go ahead for housing.

Members of West Devon Borough Council's planning committee, who refused a previous application for the site in September because they felt the £173,000 education contribution offered was insufficient, were not prepared this week to delegate the decision to planning officers for approval.

The committee was told that the applicants Leander Development and Mrs R Coombe had now offered a sum of up to £630,000 and Devon County Council education officers were happy with this.

It is hoped that a new school will be built on the east of the town.

Councillors were asked to delegate the decision to the officers with a recommendation to support the application — but Cllr Bill Cann made an amendment to defer the proposal until the offer was put in writing. He said members should not accept something that was discussed ten minutes prior to the meeting.

The application, for outline planning permission, concerns the largest portion of designated development land on the east of the town for housing. There are three pieces of land in total which could result in around 500 new homes in the town. The exact number of houses, layout and design will be discussed if and when a detailed application is submitted.

The proposal has been controversial, provoking 46 letters of objection and opposition from Robert Wiseman Dairies on the Exeter Road Industrial Estate.

The company is concerned about the proximity of the housing to its operation and fears that the development will give rise to complaints about noise and light pollution.

Councillors were told that these issues could be dealt with later on, in a detailed planning application.

Some members still have reservations about the scheme but were told by planning officers that the land was designated for housing in the local plan and the authority would have difficulty fighting an appeal if the application was turned down.

Developers have to enter a Section 106 agreement with the council whereby they offer a contribution towards infrastructure such as education, highways and bus services and provide at least 35% of affordable housing.