As predicted in this newspaper a fortnight ago a multi-million pound plan to relocate Newton Abbot livestock market to Ilford Park, next to the A38 at Drum Bridges, has been launched.

The news has been welcomed by Ed Williams, chairman of the Newton Abbot branch of the National Farmers' Union, who said it offered the chance to develop a site fit for the 21st century.

The scheme by Arnold White Estates (AWE) also includes business units, homes, pub and a church. It replaces the firm's earlier attempts to develop a service station on the site and was confirmed this week in a public notice.

AWE's change of heart came about after it failed to attract investors to its original scheme, permission for which was won on appeal three years ago.

Chief executive Bob Williams has described the latest project as 'less contentious' and said he and Teignbridge had 'mutual aspirations'.

A council spokesman said AWE's plans could be 'mutually beneficial to the developers, the council and to local people' but that the usual planning process had to be followed.<

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