Cllr Kelvyn Shantry, of Wiltshire, independent councillor for College Ward, Newton Abbot, writes:

The inspector announced just before Christmas that he found the Teignbridge Local Plan to be sound, with the exception of small modifications, including removing the ill-conceived Ware Barton Business Park.

Many people wonder how his decision can be justified, given the weight of evidence put forward by so many people, showing inflated housing numbers and incorrect population growth forecasts were used by TDC to inflate the true housing need.

Anybody who attended the final day will remember the justification for infrastructure funding using £73 million of New Homes Bonus was shown as completely false as the NHB is, and will be, used in totality by TDC to cover the funding gap caused by the reduction in central government funding.

This will result in massive building works being completed without important and necessary infrastructure improvements.

The examination took place four months ago and no explanation has yet been given by the inspector for any of these decisions; in particular changing the character of Newton Abbot by agreeing the building of so many new homes on greenfield sites despite in my opinion other more suitable brownfield sites being put forward.

Objectors highlighted the key issues and alternatives at the examination in detail including more than 200 pages of factual evidence opposing development at Wolborough alone.

The 'sound' Local Plan will allow the building of at least 1,500 new homes on green fields adjacent to an SSI and Decoy Country Park, with a new link road joining the Torquay Road and Totnes Road across high rolling hills visible for miles dissecting woods at Decoy Country Park.

The harm to wildlife, the SSI, rare protected species and the negative impact on the Decoy Country Park can only be imagined.

I and many others eagerly await his full report  to examine his justification for agreeing the TDC Local Plan and  will then contemplate the next step in our battle to maintain the character and quality of life in Teignbridge and protect our precious green fields.MORE LETTERS IN OUR DIGITAL EDITION