Ogwell residents who attended an exhibition staged by house builder Midas appeared to be unimpressed with the firm's plans for 200 homes off Reynell Road. The firm has acquired the site from Redrow, the company which was eventually granted planning permission for the former pig farm only after the secretary of state, Ruth Kelly, overturned refusals by both Teignbridge Council and the planning inspectorate, writes Nigel Canham. Villagers attending the exhibition at Ogwell Memorial Hall on Wednesday were shown three possible layouts for the new development and given the opportunity to quiz Midas staff. But no one interviewed by this newspaper had anything positive to say. Johnpaul Sellars lives in Reynell Road with his partner and baby. his house lies below the steep hillside where houses will be built. 'It affects us from a privacy view and it's going to be two years of disruption with all the construction traffic going past,' he said. 'The congestion down our road will be horrendous. 'I've got several concerns and nothing Midas said has reassured me.' Dave Pugsley, of Buttercombe Close, was concerned the development would ruin the skyline. 'I don't think she (Miss Kelly) has come down and seen the site. I think she's wrong,' he said. The primary concern of Linda McHale, who lives in Luxton Road, and her friend Julie Germon, a resident of 22 years, was access. 'Reynell Road services a number of cul-de-sacs and there's a large volume of vehicles, already in excess of the parking we have,' said Miss McHale. 'It is the only route in and out of the new development, apart from a bollard-controlled one for emergency services, so what happens in the event Reynell Road gets blocked? There appears to be no forethought as to how residents will get to and from work or pick the children up.' Miss McHale talked at length with Midas Homes' project manager Adam Davis, and she was asked if any reassurance had been given. Looking Mr Davis in the eye she replied: 'Forgive me Adam, but absolutely none.' Mr Davis told the Advertiser: 'The exhibition is very much a listening exercise to see what everybody thinks and after today we've got to reflect on what people said and try and take on board their concerns and make changes as necessary.' Asked if his firm might consider improved access he said: 'The access point is not something we are consulting on.'
