Campaigners against affordable homes in a moorland village have accused an authority of having one rule for the "poor" and another rule for wealthy property owners – but complaining that the rules favour the poor.
Dozens of residents of Holne near Ashburton on Dartmoor National Park battled to stop plans for seven low-income properties on a greenfield site – fearing approval would open the floodgates for more development.
But despite concerns raised over a lack of supporting infrastructure in the village, as well as the perceived ecological impact on an historic hedgerow, the scheme was granted permission by the national park authority in April.
Opponents also say the authority has shown "double-standards" – claiming they struggle to gain authorisation for minor alterations to their expensive properties, but it is happy to allow the construction of 'cheaper' homes.
"It is so unfair that 'rules' can be not only bent but broken in order to provide homes here for people who could not afford to buy or rent them on the open market," said resident Julia Biddell.
"Planning would not be given in such a beauty spot for open market housing."
The 68-year-old, who has lived in Holne since 1998, admitted the row had divided the 250 villagers, but claimed 80% of those who wrote letters over the scheme were against it.
"It is hypocritical of the Dartmoor National Park Authority to allow this development when the rest of us are subject to the closest scrutiny of the most microscopic changes to our properties," she said.
"It stinks of double standards and the clique who supported the housing scheme must be fully aware of how their actions have divided the village. Is there one law for the 'poor' and another for everyone else?" Some residents allege the authority is encouraging an influx of less wealthy people from outside as part of a social engineering policy.
Ms Biddell questioned why housing could not be provided in a nearby town, accusing the authority of being "hell bent on social engineering".
But Dartmoor National Park Authority maintained the scheme was "community-led" and designed to provide affordable properties for local people in nearby villages.
Dan Janota, of the forward planning department, said: "We want to give local people the chance to live and stay in the village. It's not social engineering from the outside, but an effort to keep people in."
The authority says it allows 90% of planning applications.
The Reverend Corynne Cooper, team vicar of the Ashburton and Moorland team, said: "We are blessed with a great many fields and open spaces in this area, so I am not convinced using a small part of one of them would have a significant impact on flora and fauna."
