LOCAL councillors who decided building homes in a green field near Newton Abbot would spoil the setting of a medieval church have been over-ruled by a government inspector.

Now the inspector’s decision has paved the way for 28 new homes to be built in the field off Whitehill Road near Highweek Village.

Just over a year ago Teignbridge Council’s planning committee raised concerns over how the Bramley Homes scheme would affect rare greater horseshoe bats on the site.

They had concerns over drainage and traffic as well as pointing out how close the houses would be to the Grade One listed All Saints Church.

Worshippers have been using the hilltop church since 1428, and Cllr Phil Bullivant (Con, Bradley) said heritage watchdogs Historic England had raised concerns over the proximity of the houses.

‘This proposal harms the setting of the church,’ he said.

The committee over-ruled its own officers to reject the plans, and Bramley Homes appealed against the decision.

Now, after visiting the site, the government inspector has ruled in favour of the developer.

He said the houses would be down a steep hill away from the church, screened by hedges and trees.

But the builders have been told to abide by a number of conditions including protection for bats, badgers, dormice and hedgehogs.