CONTROVERSIAL plans to build more than 200 homes on disused industrial land in Exeter are set to be approved by councillors.

Redrow Homes is seeking permission for 230 houses and flats and a 72-bed care home on the former Ibstock Brickworks site in Harrington Lane, Pinhoe.

The scheme has been recommended for approval when Exeter City Council's planning committee meets to debate the proposal on Monday, February 20.

It comes as public consultation starts on four possible routes for a new link road to ease traffic congestion resulting from this and other nearby housing developments.

The plans for the Ibstock site have prompted 57 objections, with opposition largely concerned with the proposed link road across Eastern Fields. Local residents are worried about the loss of space for dog walking and the impact on wildlife.

If the scheme gets the go-ahead, 57 of the new homes would be social rented or shared ownership housing. Plans for the link road between Exhibition Way and Harrington Lane will go on display at Pinhoe Primary School on Monday, February 20, and at St James School on Wednesday, February 22, from 3pm to 9pm.

Devon County Council is seeking views on four route options for the link road across Eastern Fields.

Other housing developments in the area include proposals for 2,500 homes at Monkerton and 400 at Pinhoe Quarry.

Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon's cabinet member for highways and transportation, said: "We need a road network that can cope with this growth and prevent an increase in congestion.

"This link road will be vital infrastructure for the growth in the city and on its outskirts."

Pinhoe and Mincinglake county councillor Saxon Spence said: "It is vital that local people can see the alternatives to deal with the additional traffic that will be created by the two proposed developments at the old quarry and the former brickworks."

The consultation runs until Sunday, March 11.