Double trouble for Newton Abbot developers

Developers of Newton Abbot's Wolborough project, set to deliver 1,200 homes, were left disappointed after Teignbridge Council rejected plans for 150 homes, a public open space, and a play area during the latest planning committee meeting.

Developers looking to press on with the next phases of a huge ‘new town’ on the outskirts of Newton Abbot have been left disappointed.
Vistry Homes and Baker Estates went into a meeting of the Teignbridge Council planning committee hoping for the go-ahead for the latest elements of the Wolborough project, which will eventually see 1,200 new homes built to the south of the town.
But councillors rejected not only the latest plan for 150 homes of various sizes but also a proposed public open space and play area.
At one point in the meeting Cllr Andrew MacGregor (Ind, Bishopsteignton) asked: “When did we start settling for mediocrity?”
Baker Estates submitted plans for the appearance, landscaping, layout and scale of the 150 homes allowed by a government planning inspector after an appeal in 2020.
The committee heard that the developers would deliver a diverse range of high quality, energy-efficient homes, and Newton Abbot Town Council was already in favour.
Cllr MacGregor said he was concerned that the site’s archaeology should be properly explored, and said: “We should insist that not one spade goes into the ground until the archaeological work is completed.
“Without that, we’re accepting the fact that we are not really bothered about it at all.”
Cllr Jackie Hook (Lib Dem, Bushell) had concerns about the way ground and surface water were managed, along with issues over play areas and pathways.
The council’s head of development management Ian Perry said the need for homes in Teignbridge is pressing.
“We have a need for housing delivery, and we are not delivering.” he said.
Earlier in the meeting, he revealed that Teignbridge could not meet current government targets to provide land for housing.
“At the front of our minds should be housing delivery,” he said. “We’ve got a waiting list of people desperate for housing.”
Developers Vistry homes also saw their proposals for a public open space around the outside of the housing development turned down.
Members heard more concerns over the impact of the homes on the ‘priceless’ Wolborough Fen wildlife haven nearby, although experts are split over whether any harm would be done.
“This is about making sure the developments are the right ones,” said Cllr MacGregor. “It will happen, but not at the expense of the fen. We are being asked to push through things that are not up to standard.”
Cllr Hook said required surveys on drainage had not been supplied, and added: “The provision for play here is potentially abysmally poor.”