ATTEMPTS to build a further 200 homes on the outskirts of Dawlish have received widespread condemnation.

Barratt Homes is hosting an event, described as a public consultation, for a potential ‘residential development’ of one to four bedroom homes on the countryside spot. 

But the proposals have sparked anger among residents who say Dawlish is already overdeveloped and is ‘bursting at the seams’.

The developers are carrying out what is known as a scoping exercise ahead of potentially submitting a planning application to Teignbridge Council. 

Campaigner Alice Bird, founder of the social media site, Dawlish Residents Against Over Development, says exercise is to ‘ram’ another 200 houses into an already over crowded town with over-strained resources’.

Leader of Teignbridge Council and Dawlish town, district and county councillor Martin Wrigley said the meeting was a ‘purely speculative fishing exercise’.

He said it was not a public consultation and the site was not included in the local plan, either the old, current or draft plans. 

He said: ‘This is not an appropriate site.’ 

Mayor of Dawlish Rosie Dawson pointed out on social media that the land was not in the local plan and there is no further new development included in the new local plan. 

Retired estate agent at Dawlish historian David Force said the plans would overlook Dawlish Country Park.

He said they would ‘undoubtedly ruin for good this lovely park that is enjoyed by so many. 

Many species of birds, butterflies and insects have colonised the area, but many of these will undoubtedly disappear if the park is surrounded by new houses and flats. 

‘It’s a ludicrous suggestion.

‘If you want to retain this beautiful park then please make your objections known before it is too late.’

News of the meeting has sparked more than 100 comments on social media. 

Dorothy Robotham said: ‘I shall be there to express my concerns and I hope the good people of Dawlish will turn up to do the same. 

‘Our beautiful countryside is being swallowed up and as the saying goes, when it’s gone, it’s gone.

Ria Pullen described it as a ‘bad idea’.

She wrote: ‘No, no and no. 

‘We don’t need any more housing, spoiling Dawlish, moved here because it was a nice quiet town, grown massively in seven years.’

‘Schools, doctors, supermarkets cannot cope now, every resource is stretched.’

Carolyn Asquith-Turner asked: ‘How much more can Dawlish be spoiled?’

The public meeting is due to take place today (THURS) between 2pm and 7pm at the Riverside Centre.

In a letter distributed to residents, Barratt David Wilson Homes, described the meeting as a ‘open door session’ for people to come and meet the team and the developer that are involved with the development of Exeter Road.

It is said to be a chance to discuss any thoughts with them on the proposal.

The presentation will include information about why this site has been chosen, the benefits of benefits of development, an overview of the proposals, the design, scale and mass and other aspects including landscaping and transport. There will also be details on a timeline for an application and delivery of the new homes.