Plans for homes and renovated football pitches in Exmouth have been backed by planners.

Developer Blue Cedar Homes is proposing a scheme on the former Rolle College Playing Fields site, off Douglas Avenue, with three football pitches, for different ages, and 23 age-restricted homes.

Ahead of a ruling by East Devon District Council’s development management committee, planning officers have recommended approval, as although the scheme departs from the East Devon Local Plan, the benefits of regenerating the pitches are said to outweigh this. Blue Cedar Homes’ Bill Richardson said: “We’re hopeful that our proposals will be approved and be available for use by footballers from Exmouth and beyond within two years.”