A developer says it is too late to attend talks to resolve disputes over a proposed GP surgery for Newton Poppleford.
Clinton Devon Estates (CDE) says it was unable to find a tenant for the practice which was promised as part of a 40-home development at King Alfred Way. Instead it applied to build two further homes on the land.
On June 11 East Devon District Council (EDDC) deferred its decision for 90 days to allow time for talks between CDE and Newton Poppleford and Harpford Parish Council.
The parish has now shown an interest in renting the surgery and wants to enter into talks.
CDE has instead lodged an appeal against the delay in the decision.
The surgery was part of discussions when a 40-home development was granted permission. At the time district councillor Val Ranger said she felt 40 new homes, next to an area of outstanding natural beauty, was a high price to pay for a new surgery.
Coleridge Medical Centre was originally due to take over the new practice but withdrew its support after NHS funding fell through.
CDE has now refused to meet the parish council and said it was because of the delays already caused, current NHS aims to centralise services and the extra cost involved if the surgery is built after the bulk of the development is finished in 2020.
When asked if it would consider withdrawing its appeal, Clinton Devon Estates said in a statement: "A new GP surgery in Newton Poppleford is no longer viable without a commitment from the NHS to operate it. With the submission of an appeal, the opportunity for formal discussions between CDE and the parish council is now closed until a determination has been made by a planning inspector."
The developer said Coleridge Medical Centre confirmed in June that its plans to consolidate services within a larger site rather than at branch sites was unchanged. It understood that their plans were to deliver services with the Beacon Surgery, Sidmouth.
When asked if it would be open to talks about the possibility of the parish council taking on the surgery, a Coleridge Medical Centre spokesman said: "We and Devon Clinical Commissioning Group are always open to discussions with our local partners.
"We will continue to provide the existing single-handed doctor service at Newton Poppleford for two mornings a week for the foreseeable future.
"We remain committed to securing high quality and accessible GP services for the people of Newton Poppleford and any proposals about how to best provide this in the long-term must take into account a number of factors including cost, workforce and sustainable modern ways of providing care."
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