Devon County Council has gone back on a pledge to challenge plans for 740 homes in Kingsteignton despite its fear that a £1.8 million funding shortfall could leave the town's schools unable to cope.

Now campaigners are hoping Newton Abbot MP Anne Marie Morris will ask the Secretary of State to step in.

On Monday, district councillors narrowly granted planning permission for 600 homes at Newcross and 140 at Zitherixon.

Another six planning applications submitted by minerals firm Sibelco were also passed. They were for a new road linking Broadway Road and Greenhill Way and another to relieve Newton Road.

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