proposals to develop 30 hectares of land at Whitehill, Newton Abbot should be cut by more than half to protect greater horseshoe bats.

The controversial plans for the development of Whitehill, where the 30 hectares are earmarked in the Teignbridge Local Plan (NA2) for at least 450 homes, go out to consultation today.

The recommendation to reduce the area to 14 hectares comes from a supplementary planning document following ecological assessment and other advice.

It follows hard on the heels of last week’s Teignbridge Council Planning Committee when Linden Homes South West Ltd applied for 203 homes on part of the Whitehill site off Exeter Road.

READ THE FULL STORY IN TODAY’S NEWTON ABBOT EDITION OF THE MID-DEVON ADVERTISER.