Widespread opposition to development at Bradley Bends, Bovey Tracey, has failed to convince district planners that the idea should be dropped.

On Monday, Teignbridge Council revealed the latest version of its Local Plan, the 20-year vision for the future of house building and job creation.

The authority received 16,000 comments when it launched a public consultation earlier this year. Bovey Tracey Town Council and others said they wanted the fields at Bradley Bends left as they were.

But Teignbridge, which has argued the need for 12,400 homes and 6,000 new jobs by 2033, said the site was 'the best choice' for Bovey.

Teignbridge leader Cllr Jeremy Christophers, referring to the overall plan, told the Advertiser: 'It's down to us a council to moderate people's opinion and to a degree it's down to the politicians to do the right thing, not the popular thing, however difficult that may be.'

Bovey Tracey mayor Cllr Anna Klinkenberg, also a member of Cllr Christophers' controlling Conservative group at Teignbridge Council, said: 'It is disappointing that Bradley Bends has remained in the Local Plan. We had favoured alternatives and are still talking with planning officers. The town council opposed its inclusion and I support that position.'

The revised plan is set to be discussed by Teignbridge Council next month.