Traffic fears over approved homes

Members of East Devon District Council have criticised a new development by the A376 – six years after the scheme was given planning permission.

Councillors on EDDC’s development management committee were asked last week to consider reserved matters regarding four new homes on land to the rear of Eight Bells in Littlemead Lane, including the appearance of the buildings and landscaping.

However, what councillors were really concerned about was the planned access, which will see a new road junction with the A376 around 100 metres north of Rivermead Avenue.

This sparked fears about the traffic problems that could ensue, but when councillors raised their concerns they were told that as the access had been agreed by planners back in 2007, and then approved by county highways officers last year, there was nothing they could now do.

Councillor David Atkins said: “It’s a disaster in my view that county highways haven’t put an objection in. To have three of these accesses, as there will be, increases the danger.

“I’m totally opposed to this scheme, but it’s been passed before, so that’s it.”

Ward councillor Pauline Stott said: “I just can’t understand why the highways person who was in charge at the time gave permission for this to be done.

“We fought it like anything against highways and the Devon county highway man let us down.”

Cllr Mark Williamson said: “I suppose if we could turn the clock back we would be much more rigorous, but we have no alternative.

“We have an application where access was approved, so I would move [to approve the] application, but register these concerns.”