THE design for a new development in the centre of Chudleigh reflected the traditional layout of the historic parts of the town, John Wright told Tuesday's Teignbridge Council Development and Control Committee.

Mr Wright, agent for the applicants, said it also minimised overlooking of other properties.

A site inspection team had visited the former Co-op store at 6 The Square where it is proposed to build a terrace of five cottages at the rear, a new shop front and associated works. An application was also made for conservation area consent to demolish the rear outbuildings and front section of the shop.

Mr Wright said they were proposing to remove the current shop front and replace it with an appropriate traditional shop front which would bring it back into viable use.

Deputy leader Cllr Ray Frost said some members were afraid that not having vehicle parking there would set a precedent.

'That has already been set. Other plans have gone through without parking on the site knowing that there is a large car park in the town,' said Cllr Frost.

Against the proposal was Cllr David Corney who said in the original plan a piece of land at the rear was to be used for off-street parking.

'We will be putting further pressure on the car park in Chudleigh.

'There is an opportunity to provide off-street car parking here and it should be pursued,' he said.

Agreeing, Cllr Mary Colclough said she did not wish to encourage buildings that did not provide parking.

There were five letters of objection from residents of Clifford Street and the Chudleigh and District Amenity Society.

The county highways officer had said that having no parking provision was preferable to the increased use of the poor access.

A lockable bollard would be placed on the site to prevent vehicles entering.

That would be under the control of the shop manager and accessible by emergency vehicles.

Five members of the site inspection team thought the scheme was acceptable and three were against.

The committee approved the applications subject to conditions which included an archaeological site investigation and access for recording.