Plans to build 34 new homes on the edge of Woodbury have drawn objections from the headteacher of the village school.

The plan for the homes – 17 of which will be affordable – to be built north of Castle Lane, has also been strongly opposed by Woodbury Parish Council, and by local residents – who have submitted a 99 signature petition against the scheme.

In a letter to parish clerk Belinda Price, Woodbury Primary School head Nigel Tancock says he has “a significant concern” about the proposed development, which he says could affect the safety of pupils travelling to school.

Mr Tancock writes: “Construction of such a relatively large scale project will generate a substantial increase in traffic in the vicinity of the school.

“It has been challenging devising ways to ensure the safety of children, parents and staff as they travel to and from the school … more traffic will make this task even greater.

“Concerns have been raised that solutions put forward to ease the pressure of increased traffic will simply displace problems rather than solve them.

“If safe access to the school is to be maintained, it is essential that solutions offered take account of these wider issues and do not create additional dangers and increase the risks to pedestrians along other routes to and from the school.”

After discussing the plan, the parish council has submitted formal objections of its own, saying that the site is outside the village’s built up area boundary, and does not pass the exceptions test to allow this.

Councillors also raise concerns about flooding, traffic, and the effect on sewage systems, and say affordable homes are already being provided by other schemes in the village. East Devon District Council will make the final decision on the plan.