PLANS for a vital link road to a controversial new development on the outskirts of Newton Abbot have been narrowly approved despite concerns about the potential impact on an important wetland. 

Members of Teignbridge Council’s planning committee spent almost two hours debating the issue before eventually voting six to five in favour. 

Objectors claimed the council was acting ‘recklessly’ over the Wolborough Fen wetland.

Ecologist Dr Kenneth Thompson, for Wolborough Residents Association, told members: ‘The Fen is absolutely unique and priceless in the whole of south west England.’

He argued while the plans had been deferred previously for more information, there was still no detail on how the wetland might be affected. 

Darren Somerfield, for developers Vistry, said the road was strategically necessary for the development and there had been no objections from highways, the council’s biodiversity officer or Natural England.

He said the development would meet almost 90 per cent of Teignbridge’s housing requirements for one year.

Work on the first section is due to start in January. 

Some councillors argued while the developers said investigations were underway on drainage issues, no more detail was available yet. 

Cllr Janet Bradford said: ‘I can’t see anything of substance has changed since the last meeting when this was deferred.’

Cllr Richard Daws pointed out Natural England had raised ‘concerns’. 

Cllr Jackie Hook said: ‘Maybe there has been some undue pressure on both sides to make a decision and criticism of the decision to defer.

‘But this committee has a role and this is the first chance it has had to discuss this.

‘We have a role to make sure development happens in a way we can justify to residents in the long term.

‘We can make tweaks and should carry on if that’s what is required to achieve the development we want.’

Cllr Suzanne Sanders said: ‘Everyone wants the best outcome but it has been seven years since this came forward which is plenty of time for any group to investigate.’

Cllr Jane Taylor warned: ‘We must do no harm

‘What are we as a council accepting second best in a development that was fought against?’

These specific proposals for a half mile stretch of road route through and connecting to the Wolborough site had been deferred from a previous meeting. 

They form the latest part of the project for more than 1,200 new homes on fields south of Newton Abbot in a development known as NA3.

Opponents claim the development would cause harm to the ‘fragile ecosystem’ of Wolborough Fen, a site of special scientific interest.

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

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 say it will address the need for homes in the area, while objectors say it is over-development that will destroy open countryside.