Approval has been granted for a block of apartments in Exminster near to the old psychiatric hospital, despite concern about overdevelopment.

The application for six flats in the gardens behind Exminster House, previously nurses accommodation for the Exe Vale mental facility, had been referred to the Teignbridge planning committee by Councillor Charles Nuttall.

The Liberal Democrat member for Kenn Valley urged members to reject the proposed building. He says it will be overbearing, not in keeping with the surrounding properties, and won't provide affordable rental properties. The developer is instead contributing to an affordable property elsewhere.

"In my view this is a clear case of overdevelopment," Cllr Nuttall said. "It's understood that Exminster House was in the past considered for listing, suggesting the proposed building would indeed be out of character."

Exminster Parish Council also objected to the application. In a report it said the proposed apartments would impact on the 'amenity' of local residents and result in the loss of open space and a communal area for people living in converted flats at Exminster House.

However, whilst a planning officer's report says the apartment block "would erode the setting of Exminster House," it adds: "on balance, the public benefits of the proposal (through the delivery of six new dwellings and an affordable housing contribution) outweigh the limited harm to the setting…. The application site is capable of acceptably absorbing the development".

Committee chair Councillor Mike Haines (Independent, Kerswell-with-Coombe) also agreed that the proposal did not constitute overdevelopment. Councillor Jackie Hook (Lib Dem, Bushell) added that private rented accommodation in the village is needed.

Plans for the 'T shaped' block of apartments in the communal garden area to the rear of the house include a terrace of five flats with a flat roofed sixth attached to the centre. The new building will feature red brick walls to match the existing building, slate on the hipped roof and the flat roofed element would have a green roof. It's set to be located three metres away at its closest point.

Exminster House was built in 1935 as nurses' accommodation for the adjoining Exe Vale Hospital, the former Devon County psychiatric hospital – then known as the mental asylum – built by 1845 and grade II-listed in 1985. The house is a 'non-designated heritage asset.'

Nine members of the committee approved the application, four voted against and one abstained.