First phase of massive Newton Abbot homes scheme approved

But some councillors say designs are 'second best'

Developers building more than a thousand homes on the outskirts of Newton Abbot have been urged not to leave the town with ’second best’.

Teignbridge Council’s planning committee spent more than three and a half hours debating the latest details of the ‘NA3’ Wolborough Barton development.

Permission has already been given for the building and work is expected to begin in January, but councillors still have to decide on details including the design of the homes, road layouts and protection for the ‘unique’ Wolborough Fen wildlife habitat.

“Why are we accepting second best?” asked Cllr Jane Taylor (SD Alliance, Kerswell with Coombe). “Developers don’t want to do the best they can because it costs them money.

“We all know that this will happen, but if it’s going to happen it has to be the very best it can be.”

The committee agreed to allow developers to get on with building a road which will open up access to the site, and to make a start on the first 94 homes.

The overall Wolborough Barton scheme - approved by a planning inspector in 2021 -will see 1,210 properties built on hills between Decoy and Ogwell. Developers say it will bring badly-needed new homes, but objectors say it is over-development and will destroy open countryside.

In addition to the houses, the scheme promises a new primary school, employment land 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.

Planners had deferred a decision on the road and the first 94 homes last month, saying they wanted more information.

This time they heard again from ecologist Dr Kenneth Thompson, who told them the fen was ‘absolutely unique’ and a ‘botanical treasure’. It is home to rare plants such as bog myrtle and marsh fern.

Cllr Richard Daws (SD Alliance, Ambrook) warned there could be a legal challenge if the committee gave the builders the go-ahead and added: “If councillors care about the environment, the residents and the future of Teignbridge, they cannot in good faith grant planning permission for this scheme.”

And Cllr Taylor said she had misgivings about the design of the homes.

But Cllr Suzanne Sanders (Lib Dem, Chudleigh) told the committee: “Everybody wants the best outcome for the site, the species and the habitat. None of us wants to make a wrong decision, but we have to move forward.”

Malcolm Gilmore of Vistry Homes told the meeting that the company was a ‘responsible developer’. “We pride ourselves on doing the right thing,” he said.

“We take our responsibilities to protect the environment very seriously, and we fully embrace the protection of the fen.”