NO new town will be built in Mid Devon for at least 12 years, a leading councillor has said.
Richard Chesterton was reassuring members of Uffculme Parish Council who say they feel "under siege" from new developments.
The Mid Devon Local Plan – a blueprint for development in the district until 2033 – outlines land in the district which developers want to see brought forward for new housing.
A suggestion that fields between Junction 27 of the M5 and Willand could be turned into a new settlement of 2,650 homes is included in the plan.
And another possibility is that a new settlement of 3,000 homes – dubbed the East Cullompton Urban Extension – would be built to the east of the town.
Both proposals have led to concerns about the impact on infrastructure such as roads and schools.
Cllr Chesterton, the lead councillor for planning and regeneration on Mid Devon District Council, told Uffculme Parish Council on Thursday that not all the proposed housing in the local plan would be built.
"Option one is that we will decide to continue with the policy in the current local plan, which is to encourage town-centric growth," he said.
"Option two would see a new community built on land between junction 27 and Willand or near Cullompton on the other side of the M5.
"Both these large community areas would be post 2026."
The local plan will be put out for public consultation from this Friday until March 24.
The draft local plan also includes proposals for future employment land around the Kingsmill Industrial Estate.
And the possible re-opening of Cullompton railway station is also addressed in the report, with a site south of Station Road also identified.
Statistics show Mid Devon's population has grown at a much faster rate over the past 20 years than England, the South West or Devon. According to the report, the population is also forecast to grow by 15,000 people between 2006 and 2031.
Devon County Council is currently preparing the Devon Minerals Plan and a quarry could be opened in Uffculme.
There are also concerns about proposals to build a retail, residential and commercial development on 230 acres of farmland near junction 27.
Parish council clerk Francis Welland, who was given a round of applause at the beginning of the meeting to mark 35 years in the role, pointed out to Cllr Chesterton that maps which identify proposed development around the motorway junction miss out Uffculme and Bridwell, meaning the effect on the village of development there would not be realised by those unfamiliar with the location.
Cllr Chesterton told the clerk he would take up the matter with planning officers.
At the meeting the parish council's budget for 2014-15 was approved, with no increase in the precept for parishioners.
A sum of £15,000 was set aside for professional services to help advise and represent the authority on the proposed developments.
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