PARISH councillors in Uffculme are fighting proposals to remove fake chimneys from a new housing estate to be built off Ashley Road.

Stevens Homes Ltd was given permission nearly three years ago to build 16 two, three, and four-bedroom homes on a 1.6-acre site to the north of Belle Vue.

But now it wants Mid Devon planners to drop a condition that each of the detached and semi-detached houses should feature a fake chimney.

Cornerstone Housing, which offers affordable, high-quality, rented and shared-ownership homes, is buying the properties and has supported the removal of the fake chimneys.

Uffculme fake chimneys planning Mid Devon parish council housing
The site of the planned new housing estate in Uffculme. (Cadworks South West Ltd)

Development director Anne Seaborne said: “We feel the fake chimneys will increase the risk of roof leaks and increase our maintenance liability.

“Over time, the prefabricated chimneys will discolour, which will have a degrading visual impact on the appearance of the homes.”

However, Uffculme councillors said removing of chimneys would no longer ensure a high quality design for the new estate.

They said district development policies required a clear understanding to be demonstrated of the characteristics of the site, its wider context, and surrounding area, and for a positive contribution to be made to the local character.

Parish clerk Gemma Cole said: “It is felt that the substitution of plans would no longer meet this requirement.”