A controversial new development of 130 dwellings plus football pitch on greenfield land adjacent to Harepath Road, has been permitted by East Devon District Council’s planning committee. The application had been in the planning process for 2 years and attracted a very large number of objections, including our own. Several local residents spoke at the planning committee meeting, highlighting their various concerns including drainage/flooding, ecology/wildlife/impact on Seaton Wetlands, infrastructure, impact on local health services and schools. But after a lengthy debate by the councillors, the outline application was permitted by the chairman’s casting vote. A reserved matters application will follow.