THE latest plans for a huge eastern expansion of Ivybridge have been rejected in the strongest terms by local representatives.

Barratt Homes is applying for permission to build 222 homes at Torrhill Farm, between Godwell Lane and the A38.

The scheme is the biggest single element of Ivybridge’s ‘eastern end’ development, which is likely to see as many as 600 new houses stuck on the side of the town.

Developer Hannick Homes has been granted permission for nearly 200 homes around Rutt Lane, and a third company, Taylor Wimpey is expected to bring forward a third site south of Exeter Road in the future.

But Ivybridge Town Council has strongly criticised the Barratt plans, calling them ‘not sustainable’ and saying they would have a ‘deleterious impact’.

Revised plans were received by South Hams Council in December, and on Monday members of Ivybridge’s Planning and Infrastructure Committee met to formulate their response to the changes. In 2014, the town council objected to the original proposals.

Planning committee chairman Tom Bowden said his concerns around the altered plans were in regard to access. The proposed entry to the site had moved further north up Godwell Lane, making it more likely that the narrow rural route would become a ‘rat run’ as a result.

Read more in the Ivybridge & South Brent Gazette