THE exchange land replacing that being given up for the proposed Kingskerswell bypass was double the size, the resumed public inquiry heard at the Passage House Hotel, Kingsteignton, on Tuesday.

But objectors maintained it would have a devastating impact on the tranquillity of Kerswell Downs and the flora, fauna and wildlife.

The inquiry into the proposed £120 million dual-carriageway which would link Penn Inn, Newton Abbot with Hamelin Way, Torquay, taking the A380 west of Kingskerswell, had heard three weeks of evidence in July.

It was then adjourned until this week to consider supplementary compulsory purchase orders and the acquisition of exchange land at Kerswell Down.

Jack Moffett, the inspector, said that never in his experience had he come across a situation where supplementary orders were published the day before the original inquiry opened.

He said that one of the objectors, Pamela Hampson, had written to his department questioning how the inquiry could be fair when he had sought advice from the county council's QC, Andrew Tait, on the matter.

'I give my assurance that I will conduct the inquiry with openness, fairness and impartiality,' said Mr Moffett.

He explained that when he asked for counsel's advice, it was from the senior QC and it was important that those present understood that counsel's first duty was to the inquiry.

'I can assure you that this practice is adopted by many other inspectors. When I seek clarification I seek it in public at the inquiry,' he stated.

Summing up for the county council, Mr Tait said pedestrian access to the exchange land at Kerswell Downs did not involve excessive diversions.

'It is reasonable to conclude that the exchange land would be equally advantageous to the public,' he said.

For the Kingskerswell Alliance, Caroline Allen, QC, disagreed, saying there was no evidence that the grassland area of the exchange land would support an equivalent ecosystem, even when the woodland is established.

'There is therefore a real risk that those members of the public who visit the common land and the rest of Kerswell Downs in order to enjoy the specific ecological features which are found there will find their enjoyment of the downs compromised,' she said.