Parish council to run rule over 42 home plans

Controversial plans to build 42 homes and a doctors’ surgery in Newton Poppleford will be discussed by the parish council this week.

The application for land south of King Alfred Way has already garnered 25 objections, and was the subject of heated discussion at a public meeting in the village last month.

Submitted by land owners Clinton Devon Estates, the proposal was described as potentially Newton Poppleford’s ‘most significant addition’ in recent years.

But the plans have drawn criticism from villagers, with more than 100 residents turning out to a public meeting on March 1 to air their views on the application, which council clerk David Atkins said were overwhelmingly against the scheme.

The properties will exceed the 40-house target for Newton Poppleford in the draft Local Plan, while the community offerings, including a new village hall, would meet residents’ needs as identified in last year’s parish plan.

Newton Poppleford and Harpford Parish Council will discuss the application at a planning meting on Friday, April 12 in the village hall.

The final decision will be made by the district council later this year.