CITY councillors in Exeter have been accused of attempting a ‘land grab’ after it announced proposals to swallow up 15 parishes from Teignbridge.

Plans to take over the neighbouring rural parishes have sparked anger with critics calling the move a ‘full on assault’.

County councillor Alan Connett, who represents Exminster, reacted to the announcement saying: ‘Changing the way councils are organised and run in Devon is a cash-wasting priority for the Government that is being rushed through.

‘Exeter needs land, money and people to make its bid work.

‘It just so happens that gobbling-up parishes and communities around the city gives Exeter just that, land to build on, cash to pay existing city debts and people to make this bid to become a city-focussed urban council possible.

‘Exeter, I suspect, has already decided what it wants, but what’s good for Exeter is not necessarily the same for the rural communities it wants to gobble up.’

The move, dubbed a ‘super council’ would see the parishes of Dawlish Town, Ashcombe, Mamhead, Starcross, Kenton, Chudleigh Town, Powderham, Exminster, Kenn, Dunchideock, Shillingford St George, Ide, Holcombe Burnell, Whitestone and Tedburn St Mary, currently within the Teignbridge Council boundary, become part of the larger unitary authority of Exeter.

Local councils across the country will face major changes as part of the government’s move to ‘streamline’ the way local authorities work.

In Devon it will mean the abolition of district councils and the creation of larger unitaries covering the county.

The existing districts all favour a ‘1-5-4’ model in which Plymouth stands alone and the rest of the districts split to create two larger councils.

The five-council section would include Exeter, East Devon, Mid Devon, Torridge and North Devon.

The four-council section would be Torbay, Teignbridge, South Hams and West Devon.

But Exeter City Council says the right way to go is an urban unitary council for Exeter and the surrounding areas; an urban unitary council for an expanded Plymouth and a rural and coastal unitary council for the rest of Devon.

Some critics have argued the move would leave residents come under a Labour controlled authority but without having a say.

Others say the current Government timeline gives little time to give a chance to consult people who would be affected by such significant change.

Teignmouth Lib Dem county and district councillor David Cox added: ‘It sounds like Exeter Labour want to use rural parishes to make up the numbers. Do the city slickers see surrounding areas as cash cows?’

One Exminster resident commented: ‘The cost will be unbelievable, just the logistics of the the waste and recycling will be be astronomical as Exeter hasn’t got the recourses, man power and vehicles to do this.’

Exeter City Council leader Phil Bialyk said: ‘Reorganisation presents a once in a generation opportunity to reshape public services to improve outcomes for residents, address inequalities and deliver value for money.

‘By joining forces with key locations close to the city – places with a strong connection and affiliation with Exeter – we can create a new unitary council which accelerates growth and allows communities to thrive.’

Exeter City Council members will discuss the report on August 14.