Calls for the committee overseeing the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty to "use its teeth" are to be reaffirmed at a meeting next week.

The AONB Partnership Committee meets at 10am on Friday, March 17 at South Hams District Council’s Follaton House in Totnes.

At the meeting the AONB amenity groups, represented by Bob Harvey, will urge the committee to play a more assertive role in planning matters.

Mr Harvey will also say plans by the Bantham Estate for new housing, a beach club and an underground car park present "a timely opportunity for the AONB Partnership Committee to demonstrate it will use all its authority to fight to conserve the natural beauty of the area".

A series of proposals formulated at a recent public meeting in Kingsbridge will be put to the committee. First, that it is the AONB’s job to protect the appearance of the landscape of the area, and protection of different species living in it can be left to other organisations.

Second, that the greatest threat to the landscape is over-development. The proposal states: "The vision of driving from Slapton to Salcombe through a continuous housing estate is not entirely unreal, given the Government pressure on local authorities to push the boundaries of protection and build more and more houses. This is a dilemma for the local authority.

"Ten years ago the committee had a system for dealing with individual planning applications, but this lapsed when the pressures were low. Its revival is now essential for the protection of the AONB landscape."

Third, that there is an "enormous untapped reserve" of volunteers who can help the committee prepare responses to major applications, which the AONB should make greater use of. This could be through improved communication between parish councils, amenity groups, the partnership committee and the AONB manager, or more regular opportunities for residents to make their voices heard. This proposal also calls for one councillor on the partnership committee to also be a member of the local authority planning committee which makes the decisions.

AONB amenity groups are also suggesting a half-hour public session could be introduced at the start of partnership committee meetings, as at town and parish councils.

Other ideas for increased involvement include a public feedback session at the AONB annual meeting to give residents the opportunity to suggest future policy, and a one-off public meeting to explain the AONB’s role in planning.