A PUBLIC consultation to discuss the Acorn Property Group’s proposed development of 70 new homes in Chillington was held this week.

The event, which was attended by more than 200 people, aimed to present in detail the proposed development of a three-acre greenfield site north of Green Park Way.

The Acorn Property Group were seeking feedback from the public, before they submit an outline planning application to South Hams Council in late November or early December.

The developers are proposing a low-density, mixed development of affordable homes, open market properties and retirement housing.

Acorn have stipulated that a minimum of 35 per cent of the homes will be affordable and the retirement homes will be restricted to those over a certain age, not yet decided upon.

But residents of Chillington have strong opinions on the development with some vehemently opposed to any new developments in the village. A committee, the Chillington Housing Action Team, has been set up by residents to try and decide on a neighbourhood plan for the future.

A member of the action team said: ‘In the last 20 years, there have been 14 separate developments in Chillington – which amounts to more than 75 houses in total.

‘To add another 70 in one hit is just too much.

‘In September we carried out a full village survey and 73 per cent of villagers responded. A clear majority said “no” to any further development.’

‘The sealed envelopes containing the returned surveys were opened in the presence of an independent on-duty police officer who, as an official invigilator, overviewed all the counting and paperwork involved.

‘The survey questionnaire was very open and straightforward. Villagers had the opportunity to express their feelings, put numbers as to what they felt was relevant to the size of the community and its infrastructure.

‘We didn’t try to guide people one way or the other.’

He explained that one of the main concerns among the villagers is the road system: ‘The A379 is 50 years out of date, but there’s nothing that can be done about it at the moment, at least that’s what we’re told. We already know the A379 cannot cope.

‘If you want to go into Kingsbridge or Dartmouth, you’ve got to add at least 35-40 minutes to each journey, because with the noticeable increase in the volume of traffic you know you’re going to encounter problems.

‘What will the traffic be like in, through and around our village with another 70 houses?’

‘To walk through the village pedestrians must mainly use the A379 with its limited small footpaths. With the increased volume of traffic, pedestrians have never been at such a high risk.

He concluded: ‘While it is true some people in the village said between 1-30 truly affordable, shared ownership, social rented homes for local people and the elderly would be appropriate, the vast majority said “no further development”.

‘We don’t want it, we don’t need it and we are not convinced the infrastructure can cope.’

But a spokesman for the Acorn Property Group said after the meeting: ‘We are pleased we’ve had such a good turnout, with more than 200 people turning up - far more than we expected, which made it a lively session.

‘More opinions mean the more we understand and the more we know. The bottom line is Acorn would like to provide much-needed homes for local people.’

While the Acorn Property Group dissect the feedback received and prepare an outline planning application, the Chillington Housing Action Team were planning to meet with the parish council on Thursday to discuss the findings of their survey in detail.