Bringing you the news, sport, travel and weather for Devon and Cornwall

Aluminium sulphate was tipped into the wrong tank at a treatment works in Cornwall in July 1988.

Local Democracy Reporting Service

Plans to build four new homes on the site of a bungalow and former nursery have been abandoned after a planning application was refused.

The application for the development at Penwartha Coombe, near Perranporth, went before Cornwall Council's central sub-area planning committee this morning.

Local residents had submitted a 16-page objection to the plans and included photographs of flooding on the road next to the development site earlier this year, although the council's flood risk officer had already approved the plans.

The Environmental Agency said in its submission that while there was a risk of flooding on the road, the site itself was not a flood risk.

A proposal to refuse planning permission was put forward on grounds that it would be an over-development of the site as well as concerns over scale.

The committee was tied during the vote, but Chairman Jackie Bull had the casting vote and voted again in favour of refusal.

Chris Quevatre
BBC News Online

Two fires were started deliberately in the Torquay area over the weekend, according to police.

Image source, Getty Images

Local fire crews were called to a grass fire which was "well alight" on Saturday, with a large area of grass damaged.

Then, at about 18:30 on Sunday another "deliberate fire" was started in a woodland area.

Due to the hot weather, the fire spread quickly.

Devon and Cornwall Police said people were seen running away from the scene of the second fire and are "likely to be suspects in the case".

They're asking members of the public to come forward with any information they may have, as the people involved are "putting the lives of members of public, the emergency services and their own at risk".

Five men are on trial at Truro Crown Court following the robbery in January.

Daniel Clark
Local Democracy Reporting Service

The fate of a controversial scheme for more than 1,000 new homes on the edge of Newton Abbot could be decided by a planning inquiry after the council failed to make a decision on the application.

The plans for the 165 acre site, submitted by PCL Planning on behalf of the Rew family, would see 1,210 houses built on green space in the Wolborough Barton area of the town.

The principal of developing the area is included in the Teignbridge Local Plan, but hundreds of residents have objected to the plans submitted last year that haven't yet been considered by Teignbridge District Council's planning committee.

As a result, the applicants have now submitted an appeal against the non-determination of the plans, which means the responsibility for a decision on the application now lies with the Planning Inspectorate.

Devon Live

A Brixham trawler owner cleared of illegal scallop fishing , externalafter a three-week trial, has lashed out at prosecutors who took him to court – in a case which has cost him more than £200,000.

Cornwall Live

A large articulated lorry had to reverse up a hill , externaland out of St Ives after getting stuck - the fourth time it's happened in the scenic seaside town this year.

Lynne French
BBC News Online

Cornwall Council has begun a three-month trial which allows pet dogs to travel on its park and ride bus service from Tregurra Park and Langarth into Truro.

If successful, its hoped to bring the service into line with the majority of bus and rail services across the country, with the aim of attracting people who would previously have been discouraged from using the service.

BBC Weather

Remaining dry through this afternoon with further sunny spells but cloudy at times.

Still very warm but temperatures should be a touch lower than yesterday - from 24 to 28C (75 to 82F).

Lynne French
BBC News Online

Three men have been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder following a stabbing in Plymouth last month.

The serious assault happened at about 23:00 on Friday 29 June in Cromer Walk, Southway.

The victim, a man is his 20s who sustained serious injuries after being stabbed multiple times in the stomach, remains in a critical, but stable, condition at the city's Derriford Hospital.

A 24-year-old man from Plymouth, a 32-year-old man from Ivybridge and a 33-year-old man from Plymouth have been arrested and are currently in police custody.

Anyone who witnessed the incident and has any information is asked to contact police.

Cornwall Live

A 13-year-old girl was airlifted to hospital after being hit by a car, external on Saturday afternoon on the A389 near Padstow.

Devon Live

As the heatwave continues, the risk of fires getting out of control, external has greatly increased, with the Met Office warning that fires in areas of Devon including Exeter, Torquay and Barnstaple will have a "very high fire severity" because of the hot and dry weather.

Lynne French
BBC News Online

A pet dog and two pet rabbits have been rescued from a house fire in Devon.

Fire crews were called to the blaze in Butts Road, Ottery St Mary, just before midday.

Image source, bbc

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said the cause of the kitchen fire was accidental. It added it was the second time today, the alarm had been raised by a working smoke detector in a property where the occupants were out.

The deputy chief constable of Devon & Cornwall Police says the force is just about managing to cope with what he describes as an "unprecedented demand" on the force.

The technical fault which put one of the three Torpoint ferries out of action this morning has been fixed.

BBC Radio Cornwall

A collision between a car and motorbike has blocked the westbound lane of the A30 at Zelah between the Boxheater junction and Shortlanesend Road.

Johnny O'Shea
BBC News Online

The trial has started of five men charged with offences relating to the armed robbery of a jewellery shop in Truro.

About £1m of jewellery was stolen from the Michael Spiers shop on Lower Lemon Street on 10 January.

Truro Crown Court heard how an imitation pistol was used in the robbery.

Tomas Bakierskis, 24, from Lithuania and Rogertas Slekaitis, 25, from Lithuania both previously pleaded not guilty to possession of an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence. They admit conspiracy to commit robbery.

Andrius Buenivicius, 41, from Lithuania previously pleaded not guilty to both charges.

Gytis Inokaitis, 36, Stuart Road in Plymouth pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to commit robbery at an earlier hearing.

Harijus Jackiaskis, 33, of Partington Lane in Manchester previously pleaded not guilty to assisting an offender.

Agris Davidonis, 30, of Petroc Court in Gunnislake previously pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice.

Two other men have previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to rob and possession of an imitation firearm. They are Haroldas Ivanovas, 20, and Salius Mickus, 28, both from Lithuania.

The trial continues.

BBC Radio Cornwall

More than 100 people are losing their jobs in Cornwall, with the announcement that Crantock Bakery in Indian Queens has gone into administration due to "continued commercial difficulties".

The company, which has been baking Cornish pasties and other pies and rolls for nearly thirty years, failed to find a buyer in the last few weeks.

Administrators Grant Thornton say directors were left with no choice but to close the business, adding that 10 employees are being kept on to help with the close down of the company and sale of stock.

BBC Radio Devon

There are temporary traffic lights on the A379 at Bantham Cross for trench work, with queuing traffic in both directions.