OTTERY has an exciting and controversial year ahead of it according to its newly re-elected Mayor.

OTTERY has an "exciting" and "controversial" year ahead of it according to its newly re-elected Mayor.

Glyn Dobson will head up the town council for a third year after getting the unanimous backing of fellow civic officials earlier this month- and he thinks his next 12 months in the role could be the most eventful yet.

With a supermarket battle between Tesco and Sainsbury's and a �2.5 million development of the town's Marist Convent looming amongst controversial planning applications- "major decisions", which could change the face of the town look set to be made.

Mr Dobson said the town council's planning committee will seek a special venue, possibly The Institute, for when its members have the chance to comment on the supermarket proposals.

East Devon District Council will then make a final decision on both planning applications, neither of which have been submitted yet.

Mr Dobson also feels the town has plenty of "exciting times" ahead. He said: "I look forward to continuing the work on our new council offices in the Convent, where the police will join us. Work is also set to start on the long-awaited bridge and cycleway project (at the Tumbling Wier).

"We are also pushing forward with our plans to provide a sporting facility for the town on land near the bowling club in Strawberry Lane and are currently in the process of getting planning permission for an access road.