PLANNING officers had done a u-turn by recommending approval to develop land at Higher Woodway Road, Teignmouth, when five years ago they refused it.

Inox Capital Investment Ltd is asking for approval for access for outline permission to build up to 40 homes on the site.

At Teignbridge Council Planning Committee on Monday, councillors went against the officers' recommendation and threw out the application 20-1.

Objector Malcolm Rae said a virtually identical proposal in 2008 was refused by the committee and turned down at appeal.

said Mr Rae: