A LAST-minute move seems to have saved a plan to build three houses at Woodland Avenue, Dawlish, from collapse – at least for the time being – but Cllr Hugh Whitley warned that the site was 'inherently unstable'.
He said that a video played to members of Teignbridge Council's development control committee on Monday showed obvious evidence of a recent landslip.
'My conscience wouldn't let me vote for houses on this site,' he said, adding that he would be voting on common sense, not the advice of experts – of which there were too many in the country.
Cllr Ann Rowland backed him, saying that the council couldn't build luxury houses with beautiful views which were sinking into the sea.
Cllr Vic Elliott said springs were jumping up everywhere. 'Cllr Clemens has been there and said there is a lot of water there. Why should we build on top of the sea?'
Cllr Mary Colclough said she was concerned that a drainage survey the council had asked for had been taken in a dry April rather than the current wet weather.
But Cllr Sylvia Russell said the Environment Agency and South West Water were happy with the scheme by Opus Homes.
Cllr Reg Wills said the council would be on a dangerous road if it went around thinking up additional objections. 'We've been assured it's quite acceptable,' he said.
'I shall support this on common sense grounds,' he said in an obvious reference to Cllr Whitley's earlier remark.
The committee voted 13-10 to reject the scheme, and two other alternatives, but Cllr Mike Haines demanded it should be referred to the full council – and he was supported by the necessary four other members getting to their feet.