Development could create ‘nearly 100 jobs’

A proposed care home and housing development in Budleigh Salterton could create nearly 100 jobs, the architects behind it have said.

The plan for a 60-bed dementia care home, seven retirement bungalows, 12 retirement apartments, and two ‘home work’ units, between Barn Lane and the B3178 Knowle village to East Budleigh road, was formally opposed by Budleigh Salterton Town Council last week.

Councillors raised a number of concerns, including the speed of traffic on the B3178, the demand for a care home, and its countryside location. Now, Michael O’Connor, of Squirrel Design, the architects working with developer Badger Homes on the plan, has responded.

Mr O’Connor, who was at the council’s planning meeting, said: “I was disappointed not to hear anything mentioned about the employment prospects and financial contribution that this project could bring.

“The dementia care home … could provide up to 80 jobs and the home work units could provide another seven or eight.

“The retirement apartments would be fully maintained and serviced, which would provide another six or seven jobs.

“In all there would be nearly 100 jobs created which should go to local people.”

Mr O’Connor also said that the scheme’s sewage arrangements had been agreed by South West Water and that, following recent discussions, Devon Highways was satisfied the site entrance could be made suitable.

He said the site would be sensitively landscaped, and that comments about housing targets were not merited as the new East Devon Local Plan was not yet in force.

? East Devon District Council will decide on the planning permission.