PLANS for up to 200 homes on land at the former Seale-Hayne Agricultural College have been unveiled in a bid to secure the site's future educational use.

Yesterday the site's owners, the Dame Hannah Rogers Trust, submitted an outline planning application to Teignbridge Council for new homes on ten hectares of land.

Councillors have already visited the site, and if plans are given the go-ahead the homes could be completed within three years.

The charitable trust, which supports people with physical and learning disabilities, says the development will fund future projects and enable regeneration.

Most of the land proposed for development consists of redundant agricultural buildings, hard standing areas and scrubland, it says.

Trust chief executive Bronwen Hewitt said: "This development will help us achieve our aims of creating a place where young people and adults with disabilities can be part of a wider community.

"They will benefit from learning new skills, outdoor and adventure activities, respite care, holiday breaks, and a range of outreach services and therapies.

"We want Seale-Hayne to be open to everyone in the local community to enjoy. Local people can stroll through our beautiful grounds, see our animals, and visit our artist workshops, contemporary art gallery and cafe.

"We will be a venue for disabled and able-bodied alike, creating shared experiences for all and giving our users unique access to a truly integrated centre.

"The new housing will give us the resources to help achieve these aims, which cannot be achieved through charitable activities alone."

Ms Hewitt said the development would ensure that Seale-Hayne's listed buildings were retained for long-term educational use.

"It will also offer the opportunity for those with disabilities, their families and some of our staff to live in close proximity to Seale-Hayne and be part of this vibrant new community," she said.

Former Newton Abbot mayor David Howe said town councillors had visited the Seale-Hayne site about six weeks ago to view the work the trust had already carried out.

He said: "Towards the end of the tour they made us aware that they would have to recoup funds after spending so much money.

"They showed us a site where they proposed building some houses, where the staff could live as well.

"The site they identified was fairly well hidden, in a sort of mini valley, and I don't think it will spoil the ambience of the area."

Cllr Howe said he had not seen the application, and was surprised to hear that the trust wanted to build 200 homes.

"We recognise that something is going to happen, but I did not know it would be 200 houses," he said.

"The application should come before us next month and, as always, the devil is in the detail."

The development, on the 177- hectare former campus, will be built on two areas of land to the west and the east of the existing access road.

The agricultural college site, including the listed buildings, will be retained and occupied by the charitable trust.

The existing sports hall will also be retained for use by the charitable trust and the local community.