ALMOST 300 objections have been made to the city council about plans to build 700 new homes close to Topsham.

Of the 289 comments received, just one is in favour, 282 are against and the remainder are neutral.

The majority of the complaints have come from members and shareholders of the Exeter Golf and Country Club. They are objecting because they say the scheme's design will affect the playability of three holes on the course.

Another objector is developer Dukeminster, which is building almost 1,000 new homes at Newcourt, off Old Rydon Lane.

Highway and transportation consultants for Dukeminster have written to the city council saying they have serious concerns about the effect it will have on the highway network.

They point out that the Countess Wear roundabout would need significant improvement to cope with any more traffic.

Councillors on the city's planning committee are due to discuss the outline application for land at Seabrook Orchards, behind Topsham Town Football Club, on January 16.

Countess Wear resident Angela Wallwork said she had concerns about the increase in traffic in the area: "The Countess Wear roundabout is at capacity now and I think it will create rat runs in Denver Road and Higher Wear Road as people will try to avoid the roundabout. It will lead to a lot of frustrated drivers and that is likely to cause accidents."

The Highways Agency had also expressed concerns about the impact the scheme would have on M5 traffic, and said approval should not be granted until further traffic assessments are carried out.

But Richard Short, head of the city council's planning services, said the assessments had now been completed.

He said: "I understand that the Highways Agency now accepts the submitted traffic generation figures and the potential impact upon the strategic road network. It now directs that a planning condition requiring a travel plan be applied to any approval."

The proposed planning agreement calls for assistance with the development of a community bus and car share scheme.

There are also plans for improved bus lanes towards the Countess Wear roundabout.

South West Water has told the city council that it cannot fully support the scheme as the present public sewer network would not be able to cope with the level of development.

If given the go-ahead, the Seabrook Orchards development, which is proposed by businessman Michael Dart, will also provide a primary school, doctors' surgery, sports fields and pavilion, play areas, allotments and community hall.