South Hams councillors approved nine new homes next to Berry Pomeroy primary school after developer Maze added air source heat pumps and updated its drainage strategy. The vote was 3 to 1 with one abstention. Several members still questioned whether treated sewage going into a brook that feeds the River Dart would be safe for swimmers. The scheme includes a £200,000 contribution toward local affordable housing unless Maze offers three homes as affordable. Planning officers said South West Water and the Environment Agency reviewed the drainage plan and found it acceptable. Construction hours and parking were also clarified. For anyone tracking low-carbon housing or local water quality, this is a case where the carbon measures got approved but the pollution risk stayed contested.
