East Devon Green Party says the plans housing numbers target is much too high.

The draft local plan has been criticised for having too many new houses and industrial estates by the East Devon Green Party (EDGP).

EDGP policy spokeswoman Emily McIvor said: “They are setting the housing numbers target much too high.

“This is unsound, and should be rejected by the Inspector at the public inquiry.

“The scale of the proposed housing land area, and industrial estates are both too high by any measure.”

East Devon District Council’s local plan sets out how many homes and jobs will be delivered around the district.

The consultation on the final draft of the local plan for the next 15 years closed on Monday.

The district council has said that if it is approved by an independent planning inspector next year and then adopted by the full council it will become the area’s main evidence base for determining planning applications and negotiating with developers.

After the consultation the council will consider all the responses, and these will be given in full to an independent planning inspector who will examine the plan later this year.

The Inspector will consider the plan, the evidence behind it and the views put forward through the consultation.

This is intended to take place at a public inquiry in summer 2013 and means the full council could vote to adopt the plan in 2014.