Water concerns raised in email over 1,200 homes
BBCAn email from an expert calling for further investigation of the water supply around a controversial 1,200-home development in Devon has been obtained through an Freedom of Information request (FoI).
In October, Natural England said publicly it had no objection to the impact the project at Newton Abbot would have on Wolborough Fen.
Residents who put in the FoI request found an internal email from August from a senior specialist at Natural England which said protection of the water supply had not yet been demonstrated and further investigation was needed.
Natural England said a single email was "in no way reflective" of its overall expert opinion.

The email said that, whilst it had been demonstrated that the total water volume would be the same, it was possible that some areas would get more discharge and others less, leading to parts of the site becoming wetter and others drier.
Arguments over the plans for the site at Wolborough, a site of special scientific interest (SSSI) have been going on for more than 10 years with developers getting outline planning permission in June 2020.
Paul Sampson from Wolborough Residents Association, which submitted the FoI request, said he was "astonished" when he saw the email from the Natural England specialist.
He said: "When we looked into the FoI and discovered that Natural England had ignored the advice of its own expert, we were even more baffled than we were before."
Richard Daws, an Independent member of Teignbridge District Council, said the existence of the internal email was "hugely important".
He said: "For Natural England to back a site and to give their no objection is a very strong signal to the local planning authority.
"Now we see that Natural England were going against their own expert advice - that totally undermines their decision."
Natural England said the timing of the internal email and the subsequent official decision was key.
A spokesperson said: "Our decision to support the discharge of this condition in October 2025 came after new evidence was submitted by the developer to Teignbridge District Council in September 2025.
"A single internal email prior to this evidence being submitted is in no way reflective of Natural England's overall expert opinion."
Peter Sadler, managing director for the developers Vistry South West, said Natural England had confirmed "on multiple occasions that it has no objection" and that "the measures we have put forward will protect the water supply to Wolborough Fen.".
He said: "Their formal decisions are based on the full evidence available to them, and we will continue to work constructively with the council and statutory bodies to ensure the fen remains protected."

Teignbridge District Council previously issued a stop notice at the site in May 2025 after concerns were raised but Vistry restarted infrastructure work in October when that notice expired.
The Planning Inspector held a hearing on Wednesday to look at drainage infrastructure and other issues at the site but said the "gulf" between the council and developers was so large it would have to be discussed at a planning inquiry.
Teignbridge District Council said officers would be visiting the site "to assess current works and determine what, if any, action is required".
Vistry said it has all of the necessary consent for work to continue at the site.
The planning inquiry is expected to be heard in April.
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