A planned 60-bed care home and housing development in Budleigh Salterton has been branded ‘appalling’ by the town’s mayor.

Developer Badger Homes has submitted the scheme for land between Barn Lane and the B3178, the road between Knowle village and the East Budleigh Road.

During their planning meeting this week, members of Budleigh Salterton Town Council raised a host of issues, including the speed of traffic on the B3178, and questioned demand for a care home.

Town mayor Councillor Caz Sismore-Hunt said: “I think this is an appalling application for Budleigh Salterton. Probably somewhere else, it would be a good idea.

“That road I can see from my garden and you can see the accidents. That road narrows on a blind bend, and they want to put all these buildings there.” Councillor Dick Mitchell said: “I think we have got to put our strongest objections to this type of development going on in the community. It’s a dreadful sprawl going up that hill.”

Deputy mayor Councillor Courtney Richards said: “I think there needs to be a demonstrable need for such a care home. It’s difficult to see how that can be if we’ve just allowed [Budleigh care home] Park House to close, so I would question the need for such a large care home.”

Councillor Richards also said that Budleigh had already met its targets for new housing under the emerging East Devon Local Plan.

Councillors also endorsed a host of other objections raised by the public, including the site’s location in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, outside Budleigh’s built-up area boundary, and on grade one agricultural land.

Concern was also raised about its proximity to Grade Two-listed Tidwell Manor, its distance from infrastructure in the town centre, and its potential impact on sewerage.

Badger Homes says its plan, which along with the care home includes 30 houses – 12 of which would be classed as ‘affordable’ – seven retirement bungalows, 12 retirement apartments, and two ‘home work’ units, is in response to demand for an already-approved housing development on a neighbouring site.

East Devon District Council will have the final say on planning permission.

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