PLANS to transform Ottery s Marist Convent grounds into a �2.5million housing development should be scrapped say traffic bosses.

PLANS to transform Ottery's Marist Convent grounds into a �2.5million housing development should be scrapped say traffic bosses. In a further twist in the tale of the controversial bid, Developer Sea Valley Property Ltd this week revealed altered plans for its "mixed residential and commercial" vision of four townhouses, eight apartments and a street-facing shop and office for the town-centre site.

New plans attempt to address Franklea Close resident's concerns that the project would be "overbearing" by reducing the height of mooted flats. Planning authority East Devon District Council (EDDC) has received 25 letters opposing the scheme with traffic "chaos" fears also among objections. Edward Chorlton, Devon County Council's (DCC) executive director of environment, economy and culture has told EDDC planning chiefs they should refuse the bid as "adequate information" has not been submitted to "satisfy" him that the project is "acceptable" in terms of access, visibility splays, road layout, construction and gradients, and on-site turning facilities. The plans have, however, been labelled "acceptable" by conservation and archaeological experts, despite further resident fears over the impact it may have on four protected species of animal, including badgers, bats, barn owls and slow worms believed to use the grounds. Ottery town council planning committee members last month shared concerns over original designs for the site but were "not opposed" to it's development, agreeing it will happen eventually. The committee will now have the opportunity to comment on the amended plans before they go before EDDC's development control committee for a final decision. Another building in the grounds, known as 'the stables', was recently snapped up by Devon County Council which has itself submitted a planning application so the premises can be used as a children's centre.