UP to 1,000 new homes could be built in Honiton – to satisfy the town s aspirations for an eastern by-pass. That is what district councillors heard at a special meeting, held to discuss the Local Development Framework (LDF).

UP to 1,000 new homes could be built in Honiton - to satisfy the town's aspirations for an eastern by-pass.

That is what district councillors heard at a special meeting, held to discuss the Local Development Framework (LDF).

The LDF will be the blueprint for East Devon's future development and the district council is keen to engage local residents in the process.

The by-pass, hotly supported by Honiton Town Council, which has lobbied for the road over many years, is likely to cost between �100 million and �150 million.

Members of the district council's Overview and Scrutiny Co-ordinating Committee heard that "a level of housing, around 1,000 dwellings, was favoured" for Honiton.

Growth of the town would be to the north and south of existing homes.

District councillors have been advised "there is a desire for the retailing of bulky goods" in Honiton.

Councillors felt "more modest growth was reasonable for the town".

When Honiton underwent rapid expansion in the 1980s, residents complained the infrastructure was not improved to cope with an influx of new inhabitants.

l Should Honiton grow by 1,000 homes or more?

Write to your Midweek Herald at the address on page 2, email midweek@archant.co.uk or call the editor, Belinda Bennett, on (01392) 888488.