PROPOSALS for a new ‘village’ of 1,200 homes on the outskirts of Dawlish have come under fire for plans to over-develop the town which has insufficient infrastructure to cope.

More than 70 objections to the ‘mixed use urban extension’ scheme have already been lodged with Teignbridge Council’s planning department even before a planning application has been submitted.

Critics have responded in their droves to oppose the move which has been described as a ‘joke’ and the ‘utmost folly’.

The concept ‘masterplan’ is in its initial stages but a scoping opinion for an environmental impact assessment of the site to the north of Langdon Road has been submitted.

Drawn up by LCH Design, the proposals are to create a sustainable, low-carbon neighbourhood of homes, parks, workspaces, shops and large areas of green open space. low carbon development of homes, school and a health centre along with workspaces, shops, areas of green space.

The deadline for responses on the scoping opinion to be submitted to Teignbridge Council planners is today (December 1).

There has been a groundswell of opposition to the scheme.

A report has been prepared for the council by chartered town planners Bell Cornwell on behalf of Farm Developments.

It looks into the environmental considerations relating to the proposed development of an ‘urban extension’ of up to 1,200 homes.

The development would also include a primary school, a ‘neighbourhood centre’ to include retail and employment space, and up to 31 hectares of public open space.

The report says it relates to the proposed construction of the urban extension and says it is a formal submission of an Environmental Impact Assessment in support of a future planning application.

Social media group Dawlish Residents Against Development has highlighted the submission of the assessment and urged people to respond by today’s deadline.

Retired Dawlish estate agent and historian David Force said the area was originally intended to be Green Belt countryside which was meant to protect Dawlish from over-development.

He said the land is also associated with Bronze Age settlers and that a hoard of gold and weapons had previously been unearthed nearby.

He said: ‘Wildlife that has been pushed away from the Gatehouse/Secmaton housing estates will be pushed even further away. And I haven’t even started on the roads, the sewers, the doctors, dentists, secondary school etc etc.

‘Rapacious developers are ruining Dawlish with their sporadic disjointed developments.

‘This shouldn’t be allowed to continue, surely?’

Social media posts claim the proposals are over and above Government targets for new homes up to 2040.

Objector Alice Bird said: ‘We are not objecting to new housing targets being met, we are opposed to extra houses being put up for the profit of the landowner and house builders alone.

‘So here is the farm land, bustling with wildlife, with its ancient hedgerows and its prehistoric and Romano-British settlements.

‘Local residents, who have to navigate the already congested roads and amenities, just don’t want.’

UP to 80 objections have already been lodged to plans for more development on the outskirts of Dawlish.

Even before a planning application has been submitted to Teignbridge Council, the initial approach has prompted a huge backlash.

Critics argue the proposals would overwhelm Dawlish and its infrastrucure.

And, they say, Dawlish cannot cope with more housing.

Comments lodged on the Teignbridge Council website include:

► Linda Wood said: ‘Dawlish surely cannot accommodate more housing and the needs of the increased population, being it NHS requirements, water and sewerage and leisure facilities to name a few.’

► Robert Parrish said: ‘This proposal would use up good agricultural land; it would add pressure and load to already overworked local services and it would increase traffic levels in the local area on a road infrastructure unsuitable for such volumes.’

► Chloe Mowson said: ‘The proposed site is on prime agricultural land which is a habitat for wildlife, with its ancient hedgerows and its prehistoric and Romano-British settlements. There are plans for a primary school, however Dawlish College currently has a waiting list for year 7 and there is no 6th form college in Dawlish.’

► Caroline Deane wrote: ‘This land is quality agricultural land which is important to the ecology of the area with many protected species. Any development will without a doubt impact on the countryside and erosion of landscape and character of both the countryside and nearby towns and villages. The road networks are inadequate for the level of additional traffic this development would create bearing in mind that the population increases fourfold in the summer months already causing major congestion, and queues.’

► John Wilkinson commented: ‘The topography of this proposal we feel would have a huge visual impact on the locality. We consider this proposal to be totally unsuitable.’

► Wendy Richmond said: ‘It appears there are many things wrong with this application; too many houses, pressure for comments.Basically however I believe we should not be adding further housing to Dawlish. Please keep it a seaside town and not an urban sprawl.’

► Nigel Barthorpe said: ‘Destroying farming land is a no no. Time to say enough is enough.’

► Alison Witton commented: ‘Dawlish is being ruined by greedy developers who fail to provide adequate green space, decent amount parking affordable house and I mean realistically priced housing the ordinary local person can afford.’

► Dave Everson, of Kenton said: ‘This road already struggles to cope with the volumes of traffic. ‘Current developments are already causing significant increases in such traffic and so any additional major developments must not be permitted until these issues are properly resolved.’

► Erika Richardson said: ‘Losing this would be devastating to our wildlife and countryside. We need to save our green spaces for our future generations. Enough is enough.’

► Former Dawlish town councillor Robert Vickery said the proposals were ‘in spirit only’ and ‘so many of the intentions are pipe dreams until a developer comes along and applies a business brain to what is actually built’.

He objected ‘strongly’ to the use of prime agricultural land.

He said: ‘The extra vehicle capacity on roads presently being constructed for the adjoining development will have a huge impact on the very small radius roundabout with the A379.

‘Dawlish is once again open to exploitation for building on its surrounding landscape in a way that requires a new town approach, so far from existing facilities. I object to this proposal on the outer limit of our small town which has limited capacity to meet existing commercial demand.’

► Michael Spenceley, Badlake Hill, Dawlish asked: ‘When and where is this all going to stop.’