CAMPAIGNERS hoping to prevent swathes of countryside being lost to the bulldozer have launched a legal challenge to the 20-year Plan Teignbridge.

Abbotskerswell Parish Council and the Wolborough Residents Association believe the 15,000-home scheme fails to protect species such as the greater horsehoe bat in the South Hams Special Area of Conservation, a site that extends into Teignbridge.

A claim was lodged at the Planning Court in London on June 16 and calls for part or all of the plan to be quashed.

A judge is due to hear the case in November but meanwhile moves are afoot to prevent any major planning applications in that area, including Whitehill, Newton Abbot, from being determined.