We residents have objected to these plans since we were first made aware of them early in 2012, when 76% of survey respondents were recorded as disagreeing with them. Since then the Alphington Village Forum has represented local residents at many meetings, expressing their views in no uncertain terms, but unfortunately with little response from the Teignbridge District Council planners, who have totally ignored the issues we raised. In contrast, Exeter City and Devon County councils collaborated with the Forum by holding five workshops and producing a mutually agreed Development Brief for the Alphington site as guidance for future developers.
Now that we have seen the outline plans of the two developers who are building houses on the north side of the A379 as part of ‘Plan Teignbridge’, we are even more concerned, not only about the extra traffic that will be generated in the village (as this area is already congested and polluted), but also about the complete lack of new community facilities, such as a local centre. At least if we had a new primary school, there would be some hope of a focal point for the residents of the approximately 1,400 homes to be built between here and the A379.
We therefore request that the arable field south of Markham Lane is set aside for a future primary school and also as a natural green space, incorporating a circular walk and other opportunities for exercising and socialising, so as to ensure that both current and future residents can enjoy a cohesive community life. As at present Alphington residents largely use the Exe River Valley for exercising their dogs, because there is nowhere else, we suggest that this field is part of the SANGs* requirement, as the proposed Ridgetop Park near Exminster will be too high and far away for most people to be able or willing to visit. Accessibility is one of the main requirements for SANGs.

*Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace - required as mitigation for the potential impact of a new residential