THE next stage in a controversial project to create a ‘new town’ of more than 1,200 homes on green fields outside Newton Abbot has been put on hold for now. 

Teignbridge Council’s planning committee had been due to decide on a new link road as part of the huge Wolborough Barton development south of the town.

The application was just for the road at the centre of a development dubbed ‘NA3’.

It would have re-opened the debate on the proposals that will change the shape of the town forever.

But the link road application was withdrawn from the meeting following new data which is it understood was put forward by Wolborough Residents Association. 

The council now needs to consider the additional information before the application can be considered at a future meeting. 

The Wolborough Barton scheme was approved by a planning inspector in 2021, and will see 1,210 homes built on hilly countryside between Decoy and Ogwell. Developers Vistry Homes and Baker Estates say it will address the need for homes in the Newton Abbot area, while objectors say it is over-development that will destroy open countryside.

In 2019, opposition to NA3 became so intense that a new political group was formed. 

The South Devon Alliance began as a group opposed to what it saw as the overdevelopment of Newton Abbot, and is now the joint second-largest party at Teignbridge Council, with nine elected councillors.

Wolborough Barton is within the College council ward, which is represented by two South Devon Alliance councillors.

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.

The application due to have been considered this week was for 720 metres of road through the centre of the site. 

Objections include fears for wildlife around the ‘fragile ecosystem’ of Wolborough Fen, which is a site of special scientific interest,  but a report for the committee points out that the planned road does not affect the fen.

Councillors has been recommended to approve the road, subject to a list of detailed conditions.

In a report to councillors, officers said ‘third party’ objections and concerns had been ‘noted and considered’ throughout.

The report continued: ‘A planning balance must be taken. 

‘The site is part of the wider NA3 allocation, and significant weight must be given to the approval of the reserved matters for this section of road unlocking the potential of the wider site to meet the pressing housing needs of our community, both open market and affordable.’

‘On the other hand, where a development proposal would lead, as here, to less than substantial harm to the significance of a designated heritage asset, this harm should be weighed against these public benefits.’