PLANS to develop 100 new homes on the edge of North Tawton are set to be heard at a public inquiry.

Wainhomes (South West) Holdings Ltd had a full planning application for 100 residential dwellings with associated roads, footways, parking, landscaping and draining rejected by West Devon Borough Council in June 2017.

With the developer having appealed the decision and the appeal deemed as valid by the planning inspectorate, a public inquiry will now take place.

Wainhomes argues that the development would provide a number of significant benefits, helping to combat a shortfall of housing in the borough, with 40% of the proposed homes planned to be affordable dwellings.

The development is facing strong opposition from North Tawton Town Council and the Devon branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE).

The town council has become a member of CPRE.

The CPRE and town council argue that the development is planned for prime farmland outside North Tawton’s settlement boundary, with no justification for building in open countryside.

The CPRE compiled a report, spelling out the reasons they dispute the need for the development.