Controversial proposals for 40 homes and a doctors’ surgery in Newton Poppleford could be given the final go-ahead next week.

The plans for King Alfred Way have long been the subject of concern for some villagers and councillors, with issues over flooding and the prominence of the site high on the list of issues.

Revised proposals will come before East Devon District Council’s development management committee next week. Planning officers have recommended to the committee that the final go-ahead is given.

If approved, it would bring to a close a three-year battle by some residents to prevent the development, which would be sited on land designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

The principal of the development was accepted in May 2014, but the exact layout of the site - and the type of ‘affordable’ homes the scheme would include - has yet to be agreed.

A previous bid by applicant Cavanna Homes to have these reserved matters signed off by EDDC was refused in August.

Then, planning officials welcomed the development’s offering of 16 ‘affordable’ homes, but were concerned that the proposed units would not meet local needs – particularly the lack of one-bedroom apartments.

In the latest plans, the 16 ‘affordable’ homes consists of two one-bedroom apartments, 10 two-bed houses and four three-bedroom properties.

A report before the committee acknowledges that an additional one-bedroom apartment would have been ideal, given the need for single occupancy properties in Newton Poppleford.

But the report concludes that objecting to the plans on a relatively minor issue could not be warranted.

Councillor Val Ranger, EDDC representative for Newton Poppleford, said: “It was made clear why the application was turned down last time, and now the committee needs to debate whether [Cavanna Homes] has met those requirements.”

The application will be considered on Tuesday (January 19).