DOZENS of protesters have gathered for the opening of a seven-day inquiry into one of Devon’s most controversial housing schemes.

Holding placards with slogans such as ‘Nature Not Concrete’ and ‘Newton Still Says No’, they sat in the public gallery at Newton Abbot’s Forde House as the inquiry began.

A planning inspector has begun hearing evidence from all sides on three appeals linked to the huge ‘NA3’ building project for around 1,200 homes at Wolborough on the outskirts of the town.

The most controversial is the appeal around drainage into Wolborough Fen, a designated nature reserve which is home to a number of rare plants.

Builders Vistry Homes say the fen is not at risk from water draining into it from the building site.

Objectors say it is, and the delicate eco-systems are in peril.

Speaking before the meeting Richard Daws of the Wolborough Residents Association, who is an Independent member of Teignbridge Council, said the wrangle over application had been going on for 15 years.

He said: ‘The whole argument now is down to the protection of the Wolborough Fen Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), which is a very fragile site, and the developers are proposing a plan that Devon Wildlife Trust say puts that site at risk.

‘It is totally unique. It has been thousands of years in the making and it’ll take just a few weeks to concrete over.’

Mr Daws said protesters wanted the developer to do what had been agreed as long ago as 2020, putting down protections for the fen.

Earlier, Peter Sadler, divisional managing director at Vistry, said: ‘The ecological condition of the SSSI is a matter of expert evidence that will be examined at the inquiry.

‘Our position remains that the works currently being undertaken are outside the fen and are not having an impact on the habitat.

‘I hope this hearing brings this matter to a conclusion and allows all parties to move forward. We are keen to see this development come to life.’

The overall Wolborough development – known locally as NA3, received outline planning permission in 2020 for more than 1,200 homes, a primary school, employment space, community facilities, open space, roads and drainage.

The inquiry is hearing three appeals, the first on a proposal by Baker Estates for 150 homes on part of the site.

In December 2024 the application was refused by Teignbridge’s planning committee after concerns over drainage, a reliance on private cars, insufficient provision for safe walking and cycling and the amount of play space provided. Baker Estates is appealing against the refusal.

The second appeal, by Vistry Devon South West, relates to an application for public open space, green infrastructure and drainage works which was turned down by the planning committee in December 2024 amid concerns around drainage, limited pedestrian and cycle access and the location and provision of play areas.

The third – and most contentious – appeal is also by Vistry Devon South West, and relates to measures designed to protect the fen.

Because a decision was not made by Teignbridge Council within a statutory timescale, Vistry has lodged an appeal against non-determination.