AN outspoken opponent of town council plans to develop allotments in Honiton Bottom Road is the authority's newest member.

AN outspoken opponent of town council plans to develop allotments in Honiton Bottom Road is the authority's newest member.Mike Allen, who works for a district council in Somerset, was co-opted onto Honiton Town Council at a policy committee meeting on Monday night. His appointment will be ratified at the council's next full meeting, in two weeks' time. Mr Allen was the only candidate to step forward to fill two advertised vacancies, created by the resignations of Richard Gaughan and Jill McNally.Deputy mayor Vivienne Ash expressed her disappointment that more people had not come forward, saying the council needed to find ways of reaching out to people.Mr Allen has enjoyed a successful career in management and told councillors "democracy and the interests of the town are paramount".