Concerns about affordable housing, flooding and the environmental impact are all addressed in revisions to a major application for Newton Poppleford.

Cavanna Homes and landowner Clinton Devon Estates have made a new bid to build 40 homes and a doctors’ surgery on land south of King Alfred Way and are eager to see it approved.

Their last reserved matters application was refused by East Devon District Council in August but the developers said they remained committed to the site.

Of the 40 homes, 16 would be ‘affordable’, consisting of two one-bedroom apartments, 10 two-bed houses and four three-bedroom homes. This is in response to a reported local need for smaller properties to help young people get on the housing ladder.

Residents below the site previously raised concerns that a single surface water tank would not be enough for its drainage, and any private company that managed a second one could one day fold. The developers are now proposing a legal agreement to secure the second tank in perpetuity.

The application adds a range of ‘soft landscaping features’ to reduce the impact on the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, including tree planting on and close to the main estate road.

Despite concerns over its deliverability, the plans also continue to feature a doctors’ surgery, which the Herald last week reported had the backing of NHS England.

The application says: “The applicants remain strongly of a view that the proposals will deliver a high quality and sensitively designed scheme which reflects the objectives and requirements agreed as part of the outline planning permission and which was itself the result of considerable thought and consultation.

“These proposals will also lead to the development of much needed housing and social infrastructure to Newton Poppleford in the form of affordable housing and a surgery.

“It is very much hoped that these proposals will be supported.”