THE countryside around Teignmouth and Dawlish would be under threat from controversial proposals on the 'omissions list' – alternative development suggestions to those identified by the first version of Teignbridge's local plan.
'What is proposed are fairly significant incursions into the countryside in a number of locations,' said Tony Page, head of Teignbridge Council's policy and heritage section, on Monday.
More than 100 possible development sites have been suggested by landowners and developers throughout Teignbridge, with eight residential sites in Teignmouth and six in Dawlish.
Because of the importance of the issue the public consultation period has been extended by a fortnight until January 24.
Already, Mr Page said that although there had been some expressions of support, 'a significant number' of representations opposed sites on the omissions register.
Although the 'non-negotiable' target for Teignbridge was 9,000 new houses between 1995 and 2011 – with 4,500 already built – a re-distribution of development along the omissions list line could see up to 1,000 extra houses being built in Teignmouth and up to 500 more in Dawlish.
'We consider Teignmouth heavily constrained in terms of growth options,' Mr Page said.
While the estuary and the sea formed two boundaries, the landscape, quality and character of the remaining two sides were recognised as being of great importance to the setting of the town.
Planners were also conscious of the risks of joining up with nearby villages. As a result what they were considering for Teignmouth was 'relatively modest,' he said.
But the omissions list comes up with development sites at Stapleford, New Road (area not defined), Inverteign Infants' School (0.51 hectares), Oak Hill (3.45 hectare extension to current proposal). New Road (1.92 hectare extension to current proposal), Headway Cross (5.81 hectares) Headway Cross/Broadmeadow (area not defined), Buddleford Farm (11.68 hectares) and Buddleford (0.18 hectares).
The single employment proposal relates to an extension of the Broadmeadow industrial estate, Mr Page said.
In Dawlish, the list includes six sites, including one in the vicinity of Shutterton Lane which takes in an area of countryside designated as being of great landscape value.
The proposal includes 2.7 hectares of live/work employment land, a primary school, community hall, and local foodstore.
Other sites are The Paddock, Gatehouse Hill (0.23 hectares), Gatehouse Farm (area not defined), Peppermint Park, Dawlish Warren (0.93 hectares) Secmaton Lane (0.63 hectare extension to current proposal) Dawn Lea and The Oaks (0.43 hectare extension to current proposal).
At Shaldon, the list includes a 0.32 hectare site at Waterworks Lane, Ringmore. At Bishopsteignton, a 0.19 hectare site at the church of St Mary Magdalene is listed.
Mr Page said that the omissions list was a government attempt to help inform local planning decisions and allow the inspector at a public inquiry to consider the public's view of alternatives.
'We're comfortable with the approach,' he said. 'It will help to produce a better plan and provides the public with another opportunity to become involved in the planning process in a meaningful way.' But Mr Page added: 'We clearly feel our sites are the better option.'
Response forms are available at local libraries as well as Forde House.