ASHBURTON felt it had been left out of any plans that Teignbridge Council had for the district, mayor Cllr Donald Distin told the district authority's planning committee.

He said there was an immediate and urgent need for affordable houses in the town and an outline application by Michael Waycott to build 14 homes on land off Pitley Lane, Dolbeare, Ashburton, would provide seven of them.

Representing the town council and the Ashburton Affordable Housing Group, Cllr Distin stressed: 'There are highways issues, but the applicant is willing to overcome these. We are in dire need of housing development.'