Sewage concerns over new housing plans in East Devon

Developers have been asked to draw up a sewage management scheme

Outline plans to build up to 70 homes on farmland in East Devon have been approved, amid concerns over the impact on the sewage system.

The proposals were put on hold last month while South West Water (SWW) and the Environment Agency were asked if they had objections.

Councillors said they were "disappointed" SWW did not reply to their request.

SWW has been approached for comment.

Planners have now asked developers to draw up a sewage management scheme before submitting further plans.

East Devon District Council principal planning officer Gavin Spiller explained how this method could help the council get more information and evidence than it would through further consultations.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service said Councillor Mike Howe expressed his dismay at the idea of raw sewage discharges.

He said: "It is unacceptable for raw sewage in this day and age to be regularly flooding footpaths, footways and anything else in our communities.

"We cannot allow development to happen where we are going back to the 1800s, where you just throw it out in the street."

Full details of the proposed development near Woodbury are still to be submitted.