The future of the £80m West Dart masterplan for hundreds of new homes on the edge of Dartmouth will be decided behind closed doors by a handful of local councillors.

South Hams Council has made it clear that the public debate over the masterplanning exercise involving the developers and the local community has already taken place.

The masterplan – which includes controversial proposals to build over 30 acres of green fields outside the original development boundary – has been presented to South Hams Council.

The district council has so far been unable to say just when a decision on whether the masterplan will be accepted or rejected will be taken.

But that decision will not be taken by any committee or district council meeting but will be delegated to a single planning officer and local councillors.

A council spokesman revealed: 'The West Dart masterplan has been submitted by Millwood Homes.

'An officer will now draft a report on the masterplan which will include a recommendation to council members

'A decision on whether or not to approve the masterplan will then be delegated to the head of planning, economy and community in consultation with leading and local ward members.'

The head of planning, economy and community is Marion Playle and the local ward members are Jonathan Hawkins, Hilary Basto ne, Melvyn Stone and Ben Cooper.

The huge West Dart development involves building across some 80 acres of land stretching from the town's park and ride to Venn Lane.

The development boundary for the 400 homes, employment units and a site for a community 'hub' has been the subject of masterplan public consultation by the Ashburton based Millwood Homes developers for more than 18 months.

That consultation has involved public exhibitions giving the opportunity for members of the public to look at proposals and make comments.

There has also been an ongoing debate between Millwood Homes and a specially formed steering group of local councillors and other local groups and organisations – all of which have gone on in private with the general public and press excluded.

It now appears there will be no debate in public when the final decision is made on the masterplan.

Whatever happens to the masterplan, there will still have to be formal planning applications for the development of the site when a whole new round of public consultation will kick in.

Meanwhile, a district council spokesman said the council could not give a 'time frame' for the masterplan report and decision but that it would be done 'as soon as possible'.

The scheme of delegation for masterplans is laid down and she pointed out that there had already been a programme of community engagement.

Similar masterplanning decisions have been made in Ermington and Yealmpton and there are others in the pipeline at Kingsbridge and Totnes.

She added: 'As far as the public debate is concerned the steering group was made up of local community representatives and public exhibitions were held on at least three occasions.'

l Almost 1,000 people sign petition: See page 8