PLANS to transform Uplyme's last central green area into a picnic site could a "diabolical" plot to eventually develop the land for housing, councillors have been warned.

Talbot Arms licensees Steve and Wendy Gardner want permission to use adjacent Hackers Mead as an outdoor refreshment area.

The land is a designated amenity site, part of the East Devon Way alongside the River Lym.

Previous plans by owner Vince Blackshaw to build houses there sparked a huge local outcry around a decade ago and were eventually rejected by a Government planning inspector.

Since then locals say the ground has been neglected and become little more than a dogs' toilet.

Now the parish council is supporting the picnic site bid but has called on the planning authority to impose strict conditions to avoid noise disturbance - and prevent any future moves to build houses there.

At their meeting last week members heard that several residents - mostly in Church Street - had written to object to the plan, many concerned about noise.

Coun Brian Mason said the long term worry was that this was a "a diabolic scheme" by Mr Blackshaw to pave the way for a fresh bid to put houses there.

He said he had contacted a planning officer at East Devon Council who confirmed that the change of use from agricultural land to the new picnic site, if approved, would make is easier for a future application to build homes there.

"We fought hard to prevent Vince Blackshaw building on this last bit of green space, as we were about to lose Barnes Meadow and the Devon Hotel," he said.

"It was a real worry to everyone and the appeal inspector stopped it but it is possible this could make it easier for Mr Blackshaw in the future."

Coun Mason said that to prevent this happening only part of the land should be allowed for use as the picnic area with a buffer between this new "beer garden" and the nearby houses. The picnic site should be made incapable of being built upon through its shape and location.

Deputy chairman Jonathan Clarke-Irons thought even that was insufficient safeguard.

"We should refuse it," he said. "It is an amenity area and should remain as such."

Amongst residents who wrote to complain Guy Ottwell said that the land was an important part of the green corridor through the main part of Uplyme. It used to be the village green and then a wildlife meadow but was now in an unkempt state.

He questioned the description of a picnic site for ramblers and said it would simply be a beer garden for the Talbot Arms.

"People won't bring their own picnics," he said.

Coun Chris Sellers said people were aghast at the loss of another amenity when the Devon Hotel decided to pack up.

Now the Talbot was the centre of village life. If the landlords were going to undertake to keep the area clean and tidy he thought they should be given the benefit of the doubt.

Uplyme had no village green and this could be a focal point. But he said some strong restrictions should be imposed such as allowing its use only in the high season.

He added: "This would regenerate a little bit of the heart of the village."

Coun Colin Pratt said currently the land was just a dogs' toilet and had been let go. It was privately owned and the only public amenity value currently was the footpath running across it.

He backed the application if it meant the area would be kept tidy.

Chairman Coun Beryl Denham said it was designated an amenity area because of its local landscape importance.

Coun Rob Crabbe said it would become more of a local amenity if the picnic site scheme went ahead. But people had a nightmare vision of parties going on until midnight with kids screaming.

Village planning chief Coun John Duffin said the scheme could ensure the site's preservation for the long term, although he agreed that if he lived nearby he might also be concerned about noise.

But the current owner had no consideration for the neighbours and was happy to let it overgrow.

"This could be an amenity for the village and we should give it a three year trial," he said. "The chance of it being developed is very slim indeed.

This week Mr Gardner said the plan was to create a simple picnic area - a nice bit of greenery adjacent to his pub - with no hidden agenda for housing.

"Calling it a beer garden gives the wrong perception - a picture of loads of drunken louts. We are looking to provide some picnic benches where people can enjoy teas and light refreshments," he said.

"We certainly don't want loads of rowdy problems out there late at night. It's a family pub."

Mr Gardner said they had already started to mow the area, clear rubbish and plant different sorts of seeds.

"It will look tidier," he promised.