Plans to build 154 homes at Courtlands Cross in Lympstone have been opposed by East Devon District Council.

The plan would see the homes, along with business units, a doctors’ surgery, a shop or caf�, a creche/nursery and community facilities, built on a site to the west of the A376.

The district council had been due to rule on the plans but, before they could do so, the developers Strategic Land Partnerships had already launched an appeal, saying that the allotted time to consider the application had been exceeded.

Therefore, rather than ruling on the plan, the council’s development management committee was instead asked to indicate how they would have voted if they had been given the chance – and they voted unanimously for refusal.

This was in line with the planning officer’s report, which said the plan should be refused on the grounds that the application was outside district council policy, would have a detrimental visual impact on the area, would erode the green wedge between Lympstone and Exmouth, would contravene the Parish Plan, and would lead to unacceptable levels of traffic.

Woodbury and Lympstone district councillor Ben Ingham said: “East Devon District Council has made it quite clear over the past few years that this kind of application is completely unwelcome in this area.

“I have no sympathy for the applicant trying to catch us out [with this application], and I will do everything in my power to persuade the inspectorate to support the principle of refusal.”

A public inquiry will be held at Exmouth Town Hall, beginning on January 24, 2012.