MID Devon District Council's Allocations and Infrastructure Development Plan Document, which sets out the framework up to 2026, has been given the go-ahead by planning inspectors Brian Sims and David Hogger.

The decision has come as a blow to campaigners who were hoping that the inspectors would force Mid Devon District Council to look again at development plans for Crediton, including the Pedlarspool site, the retention of a Crediton bypass and other housing and industrial development.

The inspectors made just a few minor changes to the plan but by their approval have given the go-ahead to the link road between the Lords Meadow Industrial Estate and the A377.

The Link Road has been approved to ease traffic congestion and improve air quality.

Concerning Crediton bypass the inspectors wrote: "This is not an aspiration of Devon County Council and there is no evidence that such a proposal would ever be delivered.

"It would therefore be inappropriate to include it as a proposal in the DPD."

They therefore confirmed that they supported Devon County Council's preference for the £7.75 million hillside route as there was no issue regarding flood risk, minimal impact on existing residents, a direct route and a high benefit to cost ratio.

They added that the visual impact was outweighed by the benefits it would bring, adding that the deletion of the protected route for the bypass "removed a major constraint" from the Pedlarspool site.

The Development Plan allocates land for much-needed affordable housing and new jobs for local people. The council says it can now start creating the necessary infrastructure.

Other specific findings of the Inspectors include:

• land for homes (including affordable homes) in both Crediton and the surrounding villages of Bow, Copplestone, Morchard Bishop and Sandford, helping the council meet its affordable homes targets and breathing new life into rural areas

• allocation of new employment land at Wellparks, Exeter Road and in Bow

• the combination of more homes and more jobs will help create vibrant and sustainable communities, with less need for commuting out of the district

• the provision of green infrastructure within development will benefit the area

• the provision of gypsy and traveller pitches can be met through urban extensions.

New employment land at Wellparks, Exeter Road was approved but representations seeking the allocation of different land to that in the plan were not supported. If this was approved it would have meant development at Fordton, Chapel Downs and Higher Road, Landscore.

Councillor Richard Chesterton, portfolio holder for planning and economic development, said: "We look forward to working with various partners to bring about the necessary infrastructure both in and around Crediton and across the rest of Mid Devon."