INDEPENDENT planning specialists will be asked to investigate whether the approval of a controversial planning application was carried out correctly.

In January 2020, Teignbridge District Council’s planning committee voted by 11 votes to four, with two abstentions, for outline plans for 450 homes at Langford Bridge Farm on Kingskerswell Road, Newton Abbot.

But questions have since been raised about whether Cllr Phil Bullivant, who spoke in favour of and seconded a recommendation for approval, should have declared an interest in the Langford Bridge application and therefore taken no part in the debate.

At Monday morning’s full council meeting, a motion requesting that an investigation to reassure and to clarify for councillors and the general public that all correct due processes were undertaken was supported.

Due his personal interest in the debate, Cllr Bullivant left the chamber while the debate took place, but read out a statement before doing so. It said: “The issues to be discussed involve my taking part in a decision by the planning committee and with certain councillors seeking to accuse me and my family of breaking the council’s Code of Conduct by so doing, despite the fact shows no transgression took place.

“The accusation are based on a lack of understanding of due process, attempt intimidation, innuendo and a deliberate misrepresentations of the facts, an accusation that I strongly deny and have referred to the Monitoring Officer for resolution.”

A spokesman for Teignbridge District Council has said that in accordance with the law, councillors are not required to declare in the Register Of Interests any land in which their children may have an involvement, and also added that a complaint under the Members’ Code of Conduct was received by the Monitoring Officer, was acknowledged on receipt and will be dealt with in accordance with well-established Code of Conduct procedures, as published on the council's website.

At Monday morning’s full council meeting, a motion requesting that an investigation to reassure and to clarify for councillors and the general public that all correct due processes were undertaken was supported.

READ MORE: Millionaire may be forced to tear down development on Devon farmland