JUST weeks after plans for the first building in Cranbrook were passed at Knowle, East Devon District Council has been dealt a blow the Government is now demanding a SECOND new town be built in the area. News of the edict came as a shock to councillors

JUST weeks after plans for the first building in Cranbrook were passed at Knowle, East Devon District Council has been dealt a blow - the Government is now demanding a SECOND new town be built in the area.News of the edict came as a shock to councillors in Honiton on Monday.Town and district councillor Peter Halse announced the breaking news, saying the second new town was not an option and that it was being forced on the district.It would be developed in the west end of East Devon in an area prone to flooding and where the National Trust owns land, it was said.A further 7,000 homes are likely to be built - on top of the eventual 6,500 planned for Cranbrook.Councillor Vivienne Ash said enormous pressure would be placed on district councillors and officers and that the plan would be a further "drain on money". She feared so much attention was being put on the development of the east of Exeter that Honiton could be "swamped".Councillor Vernon Whitlock, the mayor of Honiton, said the news could have "profound consequences for Honiton". He said the town council would be responding to the news and trying to work out how to retain Honiton's economic independence and to market the town.