A TEIGNMOUTH planning application that featured in a recent edition of satirical magazine Private Eye is being recommended for approval by Teignbridge Council planners.

An application by Hannon Homes for six flats at 125 Coombe Vale Road featured in The Rotten Boroughs write-up in the magazine last month. It alleged that an earlier application by the developer for five homes was approved despite the rejection of two homes on the site by previous owners.

In a report to go before Monday's development control committee, planning officers say that the addition of an extra flat on top of the original approval for five will not significantly increase impact on surrounding properties and will not have any further implications for car parking issues. Plans do not include windows at the rear of the property, to protect privacy in neighbouring gardens.

It provides for seven car parking spaces – four on a raised area off Coombe Park Road and a further three in the rear garden reached with new access. 'This does not result in the loss of any further on-street parking but does increase the overall number of spaces to seven,' states the report. The additional flat does not increase the ridge height of the building.

The council has received four letters of objection. They raise concerns including loss of privacy, more vehicle movements and loss of existing on-street car parking. They also say that the building is out of character and will dominate over rear gardens in the area.

The town council has serious concerns about revised layout and car parking. If the scheme is approved, conditions could include the provision of car parking, access and communal gardens before the flats are occupied and all windows in the south elevation to be non-opening and glazed to obscure view.