Millwood Homes has rejected claims that it is selling off part, or all, of its £80m West Dart development project being drawn up for the edge of Dartmouth.

The Ashburton-based developer has denied rumours sweeping Dartmouth that Barratt Homes is in the wings looking for a slice of the Dartmouth development action.

Mike Smith, who is part of the company team working on an all-important masterplan for the 400-homes scheme, said: 'There is no truth in any rumours about Barratt. There are no conversations going on and there has not been any.'

He said the rumours had come as a complete 'shock' to Millwood Homes boss Dan Salt.

He added: 'This is a complete and absolute rumour. Millwood are still promoting the planning. Millwood is still planning to acquire the site with the options that we already have.'

The 25-acre site – which includes the new homes plus land for employment use, open space and sports facilities – has been part of a major Millwood Homes consultation project for more than a year.

The final masterplan was presented to a steering group of local councillors, council officers and other representatives this week.

That includes the proposal that the existing park and ride site should stay exactly where it is rather than being shift further out of town beyond Venn Lane.

It also spells out that the original development boundary should be extended southwards because the original land allocation has come up short – partly because one landowner is refusing to sell and partly because areas are so steep they are not viable for development.

If the masterplan gets the go ahead Millwood aims to submit an outline planning application for the whole site in March next year.

If that gets the go ahead –probably not until the end of next year – the company aims to start submitting phased detailed planning applications – probably for some 50 to 75 homes at a time, revealed Mr Smith.

He also pointed out that the percentage of affordable homes that Millwood Homes will be offering as part of the huge scheme will not be known until the outline planning stage.

This is when the county council's demands for developers' contributions for highways and education is known – both of which will affect the viability of the project, said Mr Smith.