MORE than 30 residents arrived at a specially arranged public consultation meeting on Friday, to hear proposals for the Newton Abbot conservation area revisions.

The meeting, held in the Teignbridge Council chamber in Forde House, was organised as part of the consultation by the district authority, following an error the previous week in which Teignbridge wrongly advertised Newton Abbot Town Council's Planning Committee as a public meeting.

That was intended as a presentation to the committee, so that members could put forward their views and was not scheduled for public debate, though it caused a furore among residents who turned up.

Thanks to planning committee chairman Cllr Keith Smith and consultation officers Maureen Pearce and Richard Bland, Friday's meeting on the conservation area character appraisals affecting much of the town centre, Forde Park, Wolborough Hill, Devon Square and Courtenay Park was arranged.

Mrs Pearce said if the proposals were adopted they would be reviewed every five years.

Once adopted, permitted development rights were more restricted and gave a greater control over the demolition of listed buildings, from which Newton Abbot had suffered in the past.

There were proposed extensions to the conservation area along Queen, East and Wolborough Streets, and Forde Park.

Some residents of Wolborough Hill asked if pasture land could be included in a conservation area, but consultation officer Richard Bland said an area to be included should have something of architectural interest.

But the meeting heard that if the landscape of Wolborough Hill was covered in buildings it would have a dramatic effect on the landscape scene of Newton Abbot.

Those attending also heard that a Wolborough Hill residents' association was being formed and would have liked to have considered the proposals.

Mrs Pearce said the consultation had been extended until today and a council committee would consider the proposals on March 8.

'An appraisal can be adopted and the area of the boundary can be put up for review,' she said.

Cllr Smith thought the process unsatisfactory and suggested any decision was deferred for three months to give people the chance to comment.

He said he was concerned about the planning premium that was being put on the town centre which he maintained had been 'glossed over'.

'I think you have opened a can of worms here and shown what Newton Abbot people would like. It seems we are being driven by Teignbridge Council,' said Cllr Smith, who said the owners of individual properties affected by the proposed conservation area should all be informed.

Cllr David Howe said there had not been a conservation area appraisal since 1999 and he did not think extending the consultation period for two or three weeks would hurt.

On Wednesday, a Teignbridge Council spokesman said they were considering requests from some residents to extend the consultation period.

'It has previously been extended by a week, making a seven week total consultation period, and no decision has been made as to whether this could be extended further,' he added.