VISTRY Homes has confirmed it has ‘carefully resumed limited works at Wolborough Barton’ as the custodian of Wolborough Fen says it has ‘significant concerns’ at the developer’s move to discharge the hydrological catchment condition at the Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

The Devon Wildlife Trust (DWT) made the comments in the wake of Vistry’s submission of documents to Teignbridge District Council (TDC) to discharge Condition 20, which is concerned with protecting the hydrological function of Wolborough Fen, of the outline planning permission for the 1,210 home scheme, dubbed NA3.

In objecting to the submission, the DWT said that ‘the evidence provided fails to demonstrate that Wolborough Fen would be adequately protected by the proposed scheme of measures’.

And meanwhile, Vistry Group says it has ‘carefully resumed limited works at Wolborough Barton’, saying the work remains outside the area affected by the earlier Temporary Stop Notice (TSN), which was served in April for a potential breach of planning control.

‘We continue to engage constructively with the council to support their review and remain fully committed to progressing the site responsibly, with sensitivity to the local environment and in line with all planning requirements’, a spokesperson for the Vistry Group said.

However, the DWT has said that is this work constitutes a breach of planning control as the area in which the road lies may be inside Wolborough Fen’s hydrological catchment and, therefore, may be subject to Condition 20.

As such, it is requesting TDC issue another TSN to prevent ‘harmful development from taking place’.

The NA3 development incudes 1,200 new properties, along with roads, open spaces and community facilities.