Hundreds of protesters hoping to crush plans to site a waste recycling centre in a former Buckfastleigh quarry have been told to wait another month for a decision, after it was decided additional environmental information was needed.

Devon County Council has received more than 200 individual objections to the scheme, proposed for Whitecleaves Quarry, as well as 200 pro forma letters.

A petition bearing 500 signatures has also been submitted and further complaints are still pouring in.

Heathfield-based company Gilpin Demolition wants to use the site next to the A38 to process waste building material, such as concrete and rubble.

To make it suitable, up to 300,000 tonnes of rock will have to be blasted and some of the ponds which have developed will be filled in.

Residents are worried about the impact on the environment and protected species such as peregrine falcons and bats which inhabit the area.

They are also concerned about the number of lorries, and that crushers could generate unacceptable levels of noise and dust if the plant becomes operational.

On Wednesday, up to 100 objectors gathered at County Hall, Exeter, where the application went before the authority's development control committee.

Development officer Stuart Redding said Gilpin had yet to complete an environmental survey and that environmental health officers had expressed worries about the impact of dust and particulates.

Dean Prior Parish Council had also submitted 'a number of additional concerns'.

Chairman Cllr David Cox proposed that a decision be deferred until the next meeting.

He said: 'We need to get this right, bearing in mind it will have a significant impact for both the applicant and the objectors.'

Cllr Roger Giles said he thought the scheme contravened the county's waste plan and could go against rules to prevent the sterilisation of minerals.

Cllr Cox said local member Cllr Stuart Barker had raised similar concerns and members agreed to defer until next month.

Afterwards objectors said they were pleased with the decision.

Organiser Peter Thornhill said: 'From my point of view it was brilliant having a deferral as it will give us a chance to work out what conditions need to be imposed in case it goes ahead.

'We've had three weeks to let people know and, what with holidays, it's been very difficult.'

Zoe Pedrick said: 'The decision was the best we could have hoped for because we are going to have more time.

'Imagine how much information we have collected in the last three weeks. Give us another six and they are going to wish they had never put in their application.'

Project manager Georgie Gilpin

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said her firm had expected the deferment as Natural England had yet to complete its survey.

She said the level of opposition had not been a surprise and that she hoped to convince residents the scheme would work.

'We'll be policy-led as must the council in the way we saw demonstrated today,' she said.

'All our actions will be governed by policy and the demands which the Environment Agency and the Health and Safety Executive place on all our sites.'

The next meeting is scheduled for October 15.