The plans will be discussed on Tuesday.

Plans to build 10 new houses in Ottery town centre have been recommended for approval, despite unanimous opposition by residents and the town council.

East Devon District Council’s development management committee will meet on Tuesday to determine the application to build eight town houses and two one-bedroom properties behind the Old Manse.

But planning officers have recommended the plans be given the green light subject to a legal agreement with the developer of a contribution of £82,990 towards affordable housing.

The ground floor of the building is currently used for financial and professional services but the applicant is seeking to add retail, eating or drinking as potential business uses.

The officer said: “When considered as a whole, the economic, environmental and social benefits of this scheme outweigh the harm caused by the poor elements of the design and the limited on-site parking provision.”

He said the main conflicts included the development would not reinforce the traditional layout of the town centre and has a shortfall in the amount of parking proposed on site.

Within the development would be four parking spaces including one disabled to meet an estimated need of 13 spaces.

The officer said: “However, there are mitigating factors for the design and parking concerns which reduce their significance. These include the limited views of the development from Mill Street and the availability of parking elsewhere.”

Developer Feniton Park Ltd also proposed plans for a new public footpath to benefit Winters Lane residents.

Back in December, Ottery Town Council and residents spoke out against the proposals which would also see the Mill Street property and its annex be converted into a maisonette and two one-bedroom properties.

The council unanimously opposed it for reasons including inadequate provision of car parking, over development, inadequate access and a badger set being present on site.

Responding to the application Councillor Roger Giles, ward member for Ottery, said: “The vast majority of houses in Mill Street do not have any sort of car parking facility. There is an extreme shortage of parking available, which creates a major problem.

“This application would be very detrimental to Ottery in very many respects. I strongly urge that it be refused.”

The committee will make a decision on Tuesday.