A CONTROVERSIAL Ottery town-centre site has been put up for sale just months after a developer won protracted battle to build homes there.

Sea Valley Properties wants at least �650,000 for the sloping land in the grounds of the Marist Convent.

The firm took on local residents in a year-long bid for planning permission and initially saw proposals for four townhouses, eight apartments, a shop and office, turned down.

Convent blueprints were resurrected after an appeal against the East Devon District Council (EDDC) decision was overturned by the Planning Inspectorate - leaving Franklea Close homeowners “devastated” and “disgusted”.

Residents feared the project would “imprison” their homes, and had access, traffic and land stability concerns.

Planning permission for the 12 residential units is a major selling point with the estate agent hoping to sell the land.

Development on the land must begin in less than three years. Firms hoping to build there will have to pay �67,000 towards local education, but won’t have to fork out any other community cash.

Sea Valley Properties spokesperson declined to comment on the situation.