MODBURY Parish Council has hit back over what it says was an 'unjustifiable attack' by South West Devon MP Gary Streeter.

Last week Mr Streeter blasted the proposals to build 93 homes at Palm Cross Green.

In a letter to South Hams Council, Mr Streeter called on planning officials to reject the RA1 application, and also voiced concerns that the parish council is not accurately reflecting public opinion.

However, parish councillor George Rose-vear has denied the claims declaring it 'amazing how badly briefed MP Gary Streeter was'.

Cllr Rosevear said: 'Despite representation on the former RA1 Steering Group by Modbury First – those opposed to the RA1 development – throughout most of 2011 and 2012, it is amazing how badly briefed MP Gary Streeter was – briefings that have resulted in an unjustifiable attack on the parish council.

Cllr Rosevear has already explained in detail the history of the proposed development.

He added: 'From South Hams Council's adoption of the site allocations in February 2011, the steering group worked with the site owners through their agents, Fuse Architec-ture, to bring forward a scheme that achieved the best for the community.

'South Hams Coun-cil's master planning process operated at this time, which involved six public events and a community survey.

'Key issues such as site access, site infrastructure, entry and exit points, sewage and water treatment, as well as the siting of employment land, access to the town and a children's play area were looked at very closely.

'In the autumn of 2012 a prospective developer made a significant bid for the site, which in terms of the intended development looked to meet all of the objectives.

'It would have 80 houses, of which 35 per cent would have been affordable for renting or shared ownership.

'Around this time South West Devon MP Gary Streeter chaired a public consultation meeting with former Devon County councillor William Mumford, which was attended by the South Hams Council planning department, South West Water and the Environment Agency.

'At this meeting it emerged that South West Water modelling for adequacy of sewage treatment was only for 50 houses.

'It was pointed out through the chair, Gary Streeter, that the site allocation was for 80 houses and about 2.5 acres of employment land.

'The land owner decided not to accept the offer and resolved to go out to tender with more developers. Fuse Architecture no longer participated beyond this point.

'A year passed before Bloor Homes emerged as the prospective developer; although they also embarked on a public consultation process, it was clear they were looking at matters commercially.'

Cllr Rosevear said almost immediately after Bloor Homes emerged the parish council faced an uphill battle.

He added: 'First of all the desired link road was omitted from consideration, allegedly Highways were not in favour.

'Any attempt to follow-up on the possibility of a better access through the existing industrial estate was stillborn.

'The employment land of 2.5 acres within the site, close to the existing industrial estate, was replaced by houses with an employment building framing the edge of the site.

'None of the Modbury parish councillors, who manned the drop-in day when this emerged, remembers anyone, bar the developer's representatives, talking about this change.

'Even more telling, the day workshops were held each workshop expressed a preference for the original location.

'The cost of this employment building, as opposed to the site for employment land has given rise to the additional houses beyond the 80 to 93.

'In fairness, the attempt to integrate the development with the town was pursued by the developers and Modbury Parish Council.

'In return for allowing Palm Cross Green to be used as the pedestrian link and children's' play area, the current casual parking spaces would be replaced by a purpose built area.

'So, far from simply accepting or pressing for the development, 'willy nilly', Modbury Parish Council has been battling to retain as much of the original content of the development as possible.

'Finally, although not stated by Gary Streeter MP, but bandied about by other opponents, the charge that Modbury Parish Council has acted undemocratically is facile.

'At every step, advice has been taken on how best the council should proceed and that advice has been followed.

'It should be remembered as well that it will be South Hams Council who will take the final decision on the application.'