Westfield plan will bring 'vibrancy'

PLANS to build a retirement community estate in Budleigh Salterton have been approved by district planners.The development plans for 3 and 5 Westfield Road were praised by councillors for the design of inward looking homes facing what would become a "village green".The 11 semi- and detached homes, one and a half storeys high, will be built specifically for people over the age of 55.The application was deferred to the district head of planning for approval once conditions had been drawn up - there were no conditions for the councillors to approve at the development control meeting because the planning officer had recommended refusal.The new development will be keeping the original stone wall with added greenery to conceal the back of the houses from the street scene.Councillor Steve Bell said: "I feel we have now reached a stage where this is the best we can achieve."Most of the earlier objections have now been overcome and I feel this is a suitable development for my ward."The Westfield Road/Station Road Action Group finally gave its full support to the scheme after doing battle for years against previous proposals, considering them to be overcrowded and leading to traffic problems.Jeremy Robinson, who spoke at the meeting on behalf of the group, said: "The residents at the last meeting had 26 people in support of the application."We have now had sufficient consultation and feel the application is more than acceptable."The councillors said the development was understated on a low rise and so would have little impact on the area and would bring a "degree of vibrancy" to Budleigh Salterton.Councillor Steve Wragg said: "This is very tasteful on what is a very large site - it seems to be ticking all the boxes and is a very good redevelopment."The application received eight letters of support and six letters of objection.