A controversial plan to build a bungalow with a ‘tower element’ in West Hill has been approved for a second time.

The owner of land adjacent to White Lodge on West Hill Road sought re-approval of proposals to create the new house after the previous application had timed out.

And despite reiterated concerns from neighbours and the town council, East Devon District Council (EDDC) granted it planning permission last Tuesday.

Outline permission to build on the land was granted in 2009, followed by a reserved matters application with more detailed proposals, but it ran out in May 2011.

Local district councillor Claire Wright had objected to its renewal, saying the proposed bungalow is very large, and contravened the West Hill Village Design Statement.

Ottery Town Council also reiterated its concerns over the scale of the development, but a planning report by EDDC said despite the 3.4m tower, the new design was a ‘considerable improvement’.

It added West Hill had ‘a range of architectural styles’, without any defining characteristics, meaning the charge the plans would be out of character for the area was ‘unfounded’.