RESIDENTS have welcomed a district council's commitment to closer public consultation after plans to create sport facilities in Bishopsteignton sparked an outcry.

Teignbridge Council has agreed to form a new liaison group with villagers after the Bishopsteignton Residents' Group took the authority to task over its acquisition of Michaels Field.

The council says although all legal procedures, policies and processes were followed correctly and properly, it could have done more to ensure residents were kept fully informed.

It said: "Lessons have been learned."

The matter was discussed by Teignbridge Council's overview and scrutiny committee.

It was decided a new liaison group has been set up involving residents, parish and district councillors and other parties so are kept informed with future decisions relating to Micheals Field.

Residents group chairman Bob McMahon said: "We are very pleased with the outcome."

Michaels Field is a 10-acre piece of land which is set to be turned into allotments and sports facilities after plans were approved in July.

Residents against the sports plan signed a 170-strong signed petition accusing the council of failing to consult on Micheals Field in line with its community engagement strategy.

The petition failed to get the plan deferred but was brought before the overview and scrutiny committee to address the concerns over the community-engagement strategy.

Residents claimed they had been left in the dark after the council acquired the land at auction in 2005.

The council said there was no secrecy and it was doing its best to preserve land for community uses.

The petition was the first of its kind to be considered by the committee at its meeting on Wednesday.

The meeting was attended by the authority's top officers, including chief executive Nicola Bulbeck, legal services director Simon Barnes and building control director John Cocker.

Bishopsteignton Councillor Alun Williams said: "It seems to me that as the local authority that owns the land, we need to bend over backwards to make sure people are satisfied."

During the 90-minute debate, members were told the decision-making process had been carried out in accordance with requirements stipulated at the time.

Council leader Councillor Alan Connett offered to meet parish councillors and residents, saying: "It's regretful we have arrived at this point today but I sense a willingness that we can move on."

Councillor Stuart Barker said: "We need to be making sure the residents of Bishopsteignton are fully engaged with what may or may not happen with that land. It's about how we can ensure that residents leave the meeting today feeling satisfied that they will be engaged in the processes."

Councillor Terry Falcão said: "Clearly we fulfilled our statutory obligations and we stuck to the letter of the law but the most important point is residents were in the dark and we need to address that."

Councillor Sylvia Russell said: "I believe that lessons have been learned from this."

A recommendation to create the new liaison group will go to the executive.

Speaking afterwards, Mr McMahon said: "We are delighted we are going to get the consultation we feel that we are entitled too. Obviously the proof will be in the pudding but the right noises have been made and we find that very encouraging."