Plans to build up to 300 homes west of Hayne Lane, in Gittisham, have been given the green light.

The outline planning application, which was submitted by Welbeck Strategic Land LLP, was approved by East Devon District Council’s planning inspections committee last Friday.

Members of the public, Gittisham Parish Council, and district and county councillors raised concerns over the plans regarding the sustainability, impact on the two Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, as well as on education and health services in neighbouring Honiton.

Honiton Surgery outlined serious concerns over the impact increased patient numbers would have on the practice, with fears outlined that this would mean the surgery, which is already working at capacity, would go beyond this.

The application includes plans for 40 per cent affordable housing, and a new access road would be created. Cllr Susie Bond, district councillor for Feniton and Buckerell, said it was in the ‘wrong place’ and was ‘not needed or wanted’.

The meeting heard there would be highways benefits to Turks Head junction.

Cllr Mark Williamson said: “I did support this application. I have not heard or read any good reason for me to change my mind on this. First of all, this is a reserve site and would not have been included as a reserve, had it not had sustainable credentials...

“To my mind, this is sustainable though clearly others disagree with that.”

He said the Highways Agency had not objected and that a priority traffic scheme, which is proposed, had worked in other areas. Concerns were also raised regarding the single track access road.

Vice chairman of the committee, Cllr David Key, added: “There is going to be congestion that is absolutely out of this world. The bridge is only a single carriageway and for the priority system it would not work at all.”

He said the development was unsustainable and a long way from anywhere.

Councillors also asked that contributions for health and education be sought.