NEWTON Abbot's long suffering traffic problems could be a major stumbling block for a developer's proposal to build 450 homes at Mile End. The plans by Persimmon Homes went on view at a public exhibition organised by the company in Highweek Village Hall, on Monday, which attracted nearly 150 people. Paul Davis, the head of Persimmon Homes, said residents had one over-riding concern – the traffic on the roads through Mile End and Highweek. 'From their helpful comments, we now have a better understanding of the issue. There is no obvious solution, traffic is considered to be a problem in every direction of Newton Abbot, but we will be wasting no time in looking at this problem in more detail. 'We made no secret of the fact that we intend to submit an outline planning application. We will be meeting planning officers at Teignbridge Council and, of much importance, would be very happy to have a working meeting with the Highweek Action Group, to exchange information on traffic and other concerns,' said Mr Davis. He added that he had expected close interest from Highweek residents, but was pleased that a handful of people from other parts of the Newton Abbot area had attended. 'After all, our development will contribute to the overall, and increasingly pressing, housing needs of the area,' he added. Visitors to the exhIbition were asked to fill in a comments form on the proposals. Comments on affordable housing, children's play areas, cycle and footpath links, and the proximity of new houses to existing ones will all be considered by Persimmon's team of consultants.
