THE site for a new primary school in Okehampton has been chosen, subject to the completion of Section 106 agreements.

The new school site has been agreed on a parcel of land north of Crediton Road and adjacent to Chichacott Road, as part of an outline application for a 14.7 hectare area of land identified for development in West Devon Borough Council's adopted Core Strategy 2011.

The outline application, supported by West Devon's planning and licensing committee on Tuesday, also includes plans for between 350 to 375 new houses, a retail unit and access points into the new development.

Devon County Council has agreed in principle that subject to full planning consent being granted for the scheme, it would purchase the school site and oversee the development of educational provision.

The school site and the access points onto the housing development, which includes a roundabout on Crediton Road which would also lead onto the proposed link road to Exeter Road, are the only two fixed aspects of the outline proposal.

The site has various constraints, not least of all the remains of a Roman fort to the west of the proposed development site, which is protected as a Scheduled Ancient Monument.

Part of the road that led into the fort will be preserved in the proposed development.

The normal Section 106 requirements asked for by the borough council of such a development have been altered to ensure the site can be viable.

Normally the borough council would ask that new developments provide 40% affordable housing, but the proposed plan is for just six percent. This figure has been reached to ensure the site is viable and can help deliver not only the school site, but Section 106 funding for the proposed link road between Crediton Road and Exeter Road.

The school site and link road were identified as priorities for the community when discussed by Okehampton's borough council ward members.

Cllr Tony Leech, ward member for Okehampton East, said it was vital that the town secured a site for a second primary school and funding for the link road, but had concerns over the site, including the proposed Section 106 agreements.

He said: 'We have lost a site for a second school during previous planning applications due to inactivity from Devon County Council and other bodies.

'We have also lost areas of land in the Core Strategy due to highways and other issues.

'Up to now Okehampton has not been well served by any of these authorities and it is worthwhile looking at the mistakes that have led us here, including my own.

'We have to have a second primary school and we have to have a link road. Hopefully this site will help us achieve that.'

Cllr Bill Cann, ward member for South Tawton, was critical of the application, recognising the importance of the new link road to the community.

He said: 'I am very disappointed that the level of affordable housing is just six percent.

'The report says Okehampton will get 170 affordable homes further down the line through other development.

'Out in the Okehampton community, 170 homes is not a lot when you look at how many people can't afford a house.

'There's also suggestion it could be seven years before Okehampton gets the link road.

'That is a long wait for that link road for the people of Okehampton and with such a low amount of affordable housing, it is a sad situation.

'We should be saying that before any more building goes on, the link road should be built first.'

Cllr Bob Baldwin, ward member for Milton Ford ,said: 'We have to be realistic. There are three major cost elements to consider — the link road, the school site and affordable housing.

'In the current economic climate we can't have all three.

'I think it is right that the ward members have made priorities for the Okehampton community and it would be wrong of me to question their judgement.'

• What are your thoughts on the potential new primary school site? Let us know at timesletters@ tindlenews. co.uk or send a letter to Okehampton Times, The Ockment Centre, North Street, Okehampton, EX20 1AR.