FEARS that a new housing estate is about to be built at west Teignmouth after diggers were spotted in a field, have been allayed.

Concerned residents contacted the Post when they saw the heavy plant and men in hard hats roaming the land near Shepherd's Lane, on the boundary with Bishopsteignton, at the weekend.

Proposals to construct hundreds of new homes in the area were rejected in the new district plan, but it still has to be confirmed by a planning inspector.

In the meantime, a developer has put in a 'scoping' application to Teignbridge planners, which is usually a precursor to a planning application.