Shelved debate over housing plans rescheduled

Proposals form the latest part of a project for more than 1,200 new homes

A debate over plans for a major housing project in Devon has been rescheduled after being temporarily shelved.

Proposals for Wolborough on the outskirts of Newton Abbot were pulled from a Teignbridge Council meeting at the last minute in August amid claims about the scheme's legality.

They are scheduled to be discussed at a planning committee meeting on 23 September.

The plans form the latest part of a project for more than 1,200 new homes on fields to the south of the town in a development known as NA3.

'Fragile ecosystem'

Planners had been due to decide on the route of a road through the site last month, said the Local Democracy Reporting Services (LDRS).

But the council received documents from opponents raising questions about its legality.

Committee chairman Colin Parker said councillors, officers and developers could not examine the new information at such short notice.

Opponents claimed the development would cause harm to the "fragile ecosystem" of Wolborough Fen, a site of special scientific interest.

However, officers said stringent conditions attached to the building of the road would protect the area.

Destroy countryside claim

The Wolborough Barton scheme, approved by a planning inspector in 2021, will see 1,210 new homes built on hilly countryside between Decoy and Ogwell.

Developers said it would address the need for homes in the area but objectors claimed that it was over-development and would destroy open countryside.

In addition to the houses, the scheme promises a new primary school and community facilities including a day nursery and a health centre.

There will be a local shopping centre, play area, allotments and a multi-use games area, as well as a link road connecting the A380 and the A381.

Full planning permission has already been given to convert the Wolborough Barton farmhouse into a boutique hotel, restaurant and bar.