Newton Abbot homes scheme beaten by bats

'This would have devastating effects on wildlife and fish'

Bats and bad traffic have put paid to a housing development on the outskirts of Newton Abbot.

Rare greater horseshoe bats use a lane at Whitehill Road as a ‘corridor’ to and from feeding grounds, and the lane itself is too narrow for cars to pass one another.

In addition, the plan for around 28 properties submitted by Bramley Homes sounded alarm bells for Teignbridge Council’s planning committee which was concerned about drainage, and how close the houses were planned to the grade one listed All Saints Church.

“We don’t believe these homes represent any mitigation that could compensate for the damage to local ecology,” said neighbour Dr Richard Ward.

“It would have devastating effects on wildlife and fish.”

Bramley Homes had applied to build the next stage of the so-called ‘NA2’ development to the north west of the town, off the main road to Bovey Tracey.

The committee heard that the application could be the last piece of the NA2 jigsaw, with the entire area delivering 259 new homes by 2030. The original aim had been to build 450 by then, but the policy changed after negotiations with a neighbouring mineral company.

Cllr Jane Taylor (Ind, Kerswell with Coombe) said it is a beautiful location in a rural setting. “You feel like you’re in the middle of nowhere,” she said.

Cllr Phil Bullivant (Con, Bradley) said heritage watchdogs Historic England had raised concerns over the proximity of the houses to the fifteenth century church.

“This proposal doesn’t deliver,” he said. “And it harms the setting of the church.”