A PLAN to provide 14 affordable homes in one of the South Hams’ most desirable coastal villages has taken a step closer.

If successful, the proposals would see a new development built by Devon and Cornwall Housing on land east of Parsonage Road, on the northern edge of Newton Ferrers.

Although granted permission by South Hams Council in 2012, ongoing negotiations with the landowner have delayed matters, according to the council.

But a slightly modified planning application was submitted last week, which those in favour hope will be the last hurdle to clear before building can start.

The plans have been in the pipeline for around eight years, and Newton and Noss parish council vice-chair Alan Cooper said the council would be ‘delighted’ to see things moving after such a long wait.

He said: ‘We’re hoping that building might start before the end of the year, and I’m very pleased to see it progress after all this time. It has been frustrating, and we’ve been pushing for some time.

‘When we did a housing needs survey, commissioned by the parish council about eight or nine years ago, we identified a need for about 32 affordable homes in the two villages, and this was the start of providing that.

‘Houses are becoming more and more expensive in coastal villages.

‘This is what we want so that young people who live here can stay.’

When first mooted, the scheme was one of the first under South Hams Council’s Village Housing Initiative. This allows the building of affordable housing for local people outside normal development boundaries and rewards landowners providing sites with one or two open-market properties.

In this case, the landowner will receive one house, while developer DCH, formerly Tor Homes, will be permitted to sell one house on the open market. The affordable homes will be a mix of part-owned and rented properties and will be prioritised for local people in need of housing.

Responses from local people to the original application show that most were in favour of affordable housing for the area. However, there were concerns expressed that a terrace facing onto Parsonage Road was too close and ruined the approach to the village. Architects ADG said they have moved the terrace as far away from the road as possible.

A spokesperson for South Hams Council said: ‘The site

at Parsonage Road, Newton Ferrers, was introduced to Devon and Cornwall Housing by South Hams District Council as a pilot Village Housing Initiative development. This ­initiative aims to increase small-scale developments of affordable homes for local people.

‘Following consultation with the landowner, parish council, ward member and residents of the village, planning approval was obtained in late 2012.

‘Since this time there have been ongoing legal negotiations with the landowner, which have resulted in minor amendments being required to the planning-approved drawings. Therefore, a revised application was submitted and is currently being processed.’

DCH head of development delivery Nathan Cronk said: ‘This scheme has been brought about in partnership with South Hams Council to meet identified housing need in the area.

‘Plans for the scheme have recently been resubmitted due to some very minor amendments that don’t affect the original application.

‘It’s part of the South Hams Village Housing Initiative, which enables small-scale affordable housing projects for local people in rural areas by allowing a small proportion of these developments to be built and sold on the open market, which helps to fund future development.

‘One of the aims is to provide much-needed housing in rural areas, to help keep families together, encourage young ­people to stay in the area and support local services.’