PROPOSALS for substantial development in Kingsteignton could result in an 'urban village for the future', according to the developer, which has submitted early plans to build north of the village.

Residents, though, say they will not accept further sprawl unless there is a boost to the environment, education and highways.

Developer Arnold White Estates – whose chief executive, Bob Williams, was involved with Prince Charles' development in Pounsbury, Dorchester – hope to develop the site previously used for mineral extraction.

Though plans are at an embryonic stage, the Environment Agency and Devon County Council have been consulted and Teignbridge council officials believe that the developer's intentions are serious and could alter the shape of the local plan, which states that an additional 4,000 affordable homes are needed by 2011.

It is thought that this development could create 2,000 homes in a village with a current population of 10,000.

Tony Page, the district authority's head of policy and heritage, said it was too early to say whether the proposal represented a 'credible proposition'.

He said: 'A significant number of issues need to be appraised including assessing potential development impacts on matters such as flooding, the environment and infrastructure, including highways.'

Mr Williams said that the company was keen to formulate a 'vision for the future' that would be advantageous to the community, environment, education and infrastructure.

He said that the village was currently 'without a heart', and believed there was lack of thought in the planning process.

'I believe you have to work towards a vision. There is currently a lack of joined-up thinking in the minerals extraction business,' he said.

Should the proposal go ahead, Mr Williams promised 'massive environmental gains' with the potential for 'green fingers of open land going all the way up to Stover'.

County Cllr Joan Lambert, a stalwart campaigner for open space in the village, said she would not support a scheme without full provision for residents.

'I feel so strongly that the infrastructure has been left. Everyone has taken the money out of Kingsteignton but nobody has put it back in.

'I'm going to make sure that if there is going to be further development then there is enough green space, transport and education, because the schools are already full, and the doctor's surgery is stretched.'

The plans come just months after Tesco revealed that it is to double the size of its store in Newton Road, and Viridor Waste Management unveiled proposals to expand works at the Heathfield landfill site.

Though proposals are limited to additional landfill, recycling, handling and sorting of untreated waste and composting facilities within the existing site, there is the potential for further development in the Devon Waste Plan.

Residents in the Higher Sandygate and Bellamarsh area have raised concerns about additional heavy traffic, smells and noise in the village with fears that the site could become the main landfill for West Devon and South Hams when the Plymouth landfill Chelston Meadow reaches capacity in 2006.

Cllr Lambert said: 'People need to know what it is going to be like with these new houses, new developments and extra traffic.

'What is it going to be like. Are we going to be totally gridlocked?'

At a recent meeting, clay company Watts Blake Bearne met with residents to dismiss rumours that Viridor had bought quarry void space from the minerals company for use as domestic landfill.

Gary Stringer, WBB director of resources UK told the residents: 'We have never had any discussions with Viridor regarding selling void space to them for domestic waste disposal.

'We will still be extracting minerals for another 50-60 years and we would not want to use the void space created for anything other than mineral waste disposal.'

Further discussions about plans at the Heathfield Landfill site and WBB works are due to be held with residents next month.