Residents have drawn up battle lines to fight a proposed 52-home development on Ottery’s outskirts that has been branded ‘ludicrous’ by one objector.

Members of the community presented a barrage of concerns to civic leaders this week ahead of a formal meeting to discuss Blue Cedar Homes’ outline planning application to build at Slade Farm.

Mayor Glyn Dobson confirmed there has been a lot of interest in the application – which details plans to build 52 dwellings, including some affordable housing and homes for over-55s.

Grenville Gilbert – a former planning law advisor – said if development continues at its current rate in Ottery, it is going to ‘ruin the town’.

He said: “This town cannot take any more cars from anymore development without huge problems. It’s just getting absolutely impossible.

“I am all in favour of organic growth, but it’s the way it’s done and the rate at which it’s done and the impact it has on services. I witness absolute pandemonium and chaos every morning [on the roads] – it’s a wonder no one has been killed.”

Mr Gilbert added that the extremity of the town is ‘the worse place’ to put retirement homes.

Resident Chris Beadman said: “The infrastructure in Slade Road in particular is single track road with a lot of agricultural vehicles.

“The fact that the application says everyone will walk I think is misleading. We have already committed ourselves to increasing the number of dwellings over and above the proposed number.

“Infrastructure is at capacity and residential amenities are already creaking.”

Dr Margaret Hall has written objections on behalf of Campaign to Protect Rural England, citing a lack of need and saying the site is unsustainable. It concludes the ‘harms of the development outweigh the benefits’.

A spokesman for Blue Cedar Homes said: “Our proposal is for a balanced extension to Ottery to help fulfil an identified local need by providing open market and affordable homes for older people in the community, as well as younger people and those with families.

“In our experience as specialist providers of homes for over-55s, we know that there is a minimal increase in traffic linked to our developments as retired households typically only have one car at most. All of these matters and supporting evidence will be taken into account by EDDC’s development management committee when they meet to consider the application later this year.”