OBJECTORS to a proposed 1,500-home development on the outskirts of Tiverton crowded a council meeting as part of their attempts to block the plans.
The protection of bats and potential problems with sewerage were among the issues raised during a heated debate on the eastern urban extension.
It came as outline planning permission for 330 houses was submitted by Waddeton Park Ltd.
The 153-acre development is proposed for land around Post Hill and Uplowman Road, and was discussed at a cabinet meeting of Mid Devon District Council on Thursday.
The hearing was only a matter of weeks after councillors said they were unsatisfied with details of a proposed masterplan which details how roads and services would be laid out.
The now-revised document proposes 1,500 homes, a school and a road network linked to the A361 North Devon Link Road.
More than 50 members of the public packed the meeting room at Phoenix House, Tiverton.
The cabinet took questions from 15 people who raised a variety of concerns.
Jeremy Salter was worried about air quality with the increase in traffic, and other problems involving crime prevention.
He said: "A safe and well-lit walking route should be established. The proposed path is along the former railway line, which has deep cuts and no lights after dark. There have also been attacks along this route."
Mr Salter, along with Glebelands Road resident Goff Welchman, raised concerns over whether the sewage treatment plant would be able to keep up with the extension.
Several people brought up environmental issues, particularly about bats who roost in the proposed development area.
Linda Hall, who moved to Tiverton in 1988 from Hertfordshire, was concerned for other wildlife.
She said: "There's so much roadkill on the North Devon Link Road – badgers, foxes and birds.
"Has the planning committee chatted with organisations like RSPB on the importance of local wildlife? We are keen to protect it because it makes Devon what it is."
Other people were worried about a bank which could be built in front of their homes, blocking their views of fields and countryside, and some about plans for a gypsy site marked for the west of the development, while there is one already in the east.
Some councillors were still disgruntled, even with the revised masterplan, which planning officers had been working on for several months.
Jenny Clifford, professional services manager in the planning department, said: "The masterplan is still in its draft form and we will be holding a public consultation."
She outlined a series of dates over the coming weeks when people would be able to look at the plans.
Cllr Neal Davey suggested that this period should be extended until February 1 because many people would be going away or too busy over the festive season.
Cllr Bob Deed, from the community wellbeing department, agreed that people should not be forced into making a quick decision.
He said: "I don't see what the rush is. We should not feel like we have to make this decision with a gun held to our heads."
The land was given final approval for housing in 2010 in the district's development plan document, a blueprint for the area until 2016.
Without an approved masterplan, developers are able to put forward proposals for the area.
Even if they were rejected at district council level they would be likely to succeed on appeal, because of the 2010 allocation of the land for housing.
A public consultation exercise will get underway next Monday at venues in Tiverton and Halberton, with times the council says will be convenient to most people, including evenings and weekends.
Meanwhile residents of Follett Road, who are opposed to the scheme, have been printing and distributing leaflets telling others about the proposals.
Chris Downs, a 67-year-old former logistics worker, said he thought Tiverton was "sleepwalking" into an unsuitable development.
He was part of a group which successfully fought development on greenfield in the area 25 years ago.
"We were told then we didn't have a cat in hell's chance and we didn't accept it," he said.
"We're being told the same again and I think if enough people make their voices heard then we stand a good chance.
"What people don't realise is the effect all this will have on Tiverton."
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