MAJOR plans to turn nearly 12 acres of countryside on the outskirts of Exminster into an industrial estate have been thrown out by planners.

Exeter Estates Ltd were hoping to build offices along with industrial, storage and distribution units at Peamore.

Developers said the venture – on land known locally as the old Frank Tucker garage – would create just shy of 1,600 jobs.

But Teignbridge Council’s planning committee refused the scheme because it was contrary to the authority’s landscape and highways policies.

Members also deemed the transport plan was inadequate and the site wasn’t in the Local Plan – a council document which earmarks land for development.

Developers put forward a transport plan to address some concerns which included installing a cycle route, bus stops and a weight limit on vehicles travelling through Kennford.

But councillors felt that the plan wasn’t good enough and wouldn’t provide safe access to the site.

Ward member for the area Cllr John Goodey told Tuesday’s meeting: ‘It is my contention that there would be a disproportinate adverse effect on the surrounding communities that outweigh any economic benefit thus tipping the balance in favour of rejecting this application.’

Cllr Alan Connett, who described the application as a Trojan horse, was adamant it should be refused because it wasn’t in the Local Plan.

More than 60 residents sent letters of objection to Teignbridge Council raising concerns over pollution, highways, the visual impact the development will have and the proposals being an overdevelopment.

Cllr Mike Pilkington said: ‘I am mindful of the need for employment. However, this is outside the Local Plan and it is also an area of great natural beauty.’

Members of the public at the meeting applauded when councillors voted in favour of turning down the plans.

Business manager Nick Davies warned members they were taking a significant risk in refusing plans and said an appeal by the developers could be on the horizon.