Plans to build seven new homes in Sidbury have been backed by Sidmouth Town Council.

Outline planning permission is being sought to demolish the garages at Burnt Oak, off the A375, so that it can be redeveloped into seven homes, seven garages, parking spaces and a new access road and footpath.

The application included a mix of detached, semi-detached and terraced homes with two or three bedrooms, as well as a coach house above some garages.

Councillors discussed the plans at the latest Sidmouth Town Council planning committee.

Councillor Michael Earthey said from the information provided he was expecting the development to be very close to the cliff edge, “hanging perilously over the river”.

He added: “But, when I got there, it wasn’t a bad sight. It has garages on there, a little allotment and is quite a large site. By removing the entrance, which is maybe a little bit iffy, and having a new entrance further up it also elevates the problem of the bend.

“What the plans do not show is the close proximity of the houses that are already in that location, we were quite taken aback by the fact they were so close.

“It is a decent site and is certainly large enough. I am more than happy to propose we support this.”

Cllr Ian Barlow, chair of the planning committee, said he understood that the site was in the local plan and built-up area before it was changed by East Devon District Council (EDDC).

He added: “I was led to believe it was steep there but it isn’t, the land is fairly flat then it drops away at the edge of it and it does fall away there. But, there are houses to the left and right, it is surrounded by houses.

“EDDC talks about wanting to use brown field sites, so why this isn’t included in the local plan I do not know. The reason it is going to cause problems is apparently because it is not in the built-up area.”

Cllr McKenzie Edwards said: “This is a modest increment to the accommodation in Sidbury and it allows the population to grow a little more but not disproportionately.”

Cllr John Rayson added the site would also be a suitable location for a car park, which is much needed in the area.