Plans to build up to nine new homes on land to the west of Down Close in Newton Poppleford have been refused by East Devon District Council.

The proposals would have seen between one and nine dwellings constructed, with access from Down Close.

The district council said the proposed development would have been too far from the centre of the village, meaning residents would have to rely on cars.

It added that it would likely have had "an adverse visual impact upon and erode the rural setting and harm the character of the landscape in the surrounding area."

The local authority also said the development would have resulted in the loss of "a significant area of best and most versatile agricultural land, classified Grades 1 and 2."

A previous application for 15 homes on the site was rejected in 2014 and dismissed at appeal the following year.

Click here to see the application.