FEARS that a move to make the Teign Estuary a protected ‘national landscape’ could mean ruin for Teignmouth’s busy docks have been allayed.

Now a special meeting will be held to shape the future of the estuary and protect it from unwanted development.

Reports on social media before a Teignbridge Council meeting said proposed environmental protections could hamper the use of the docks by cargo ships in the future.

Some councillors said the reports amounted to ‘misinformation’ but others echoed fears for the port.

The docks are a crucial driver of South Devon’s economy and handle up to half a million tonnes of cargo a year, mainly exporting local ball clay and importing goods like animal feed, salt, aggregates, and stone.

There are up to 400 vessel movements in and out of the port each year, and shipping campaigners warned that protecting the beauty of the estuary could have severe knock-on effects on the port.

During a meeting of the full council, Cllr Andrew MacGregor proposed launching a consultation to gauge support for the creation of a national landscape protection for the entire estuary.

And, he insisted, his motion only concerned the estuary upstream of Shaldon Bridge and had nothing to do with the docks.

‘The working port and harbour are explicitly excluded,’ he said.

‘This does not impose any restriction on our maritime economy at all.’

Objectors in Teignmouth say having a protected area above the bridge would still have an impact on dredging and maintenance, but Cllr MacGregor said they would not be affected.

‘This is about the protection of our estuary and port,’ he added.

‘By not supporting it, you risk losing both.

‘If we don’t protect the landscape, we risk losing the port anyway. This is an opportunity for the council to bring in a win/win for the Teign Estuary.’

His motion called on the council to submit a formal application to Natural England, and to launch a widespread consultation across the area covered by the estuary.

But council leader Richard Keeling said he had received more than 130 emails since the issue was aired on social media, and none had been in support of the move.

He also warned the process could cost the council more than a quarter of a million pounds and take officers away from other tasks.

Cllr Jackie Hook said there should be more consideration and consultation before any application was made, and a full-scale study of the entire estuary should be carried out.

There should also be a special meeting of the Teign Estuary and Coastal Partnership, with all interested groups invited to attend.

Cllr Hook’s amendment was passed, meaning there was no vote on Cllr MacGregor’s original proposal.

The news was welcomed online by the Ship Happens TNM social media group, which had raised the alarm over the future of the port.

A statement said: ‘While a few tried to brush off our warnings, other councillors stepped up and echoed exactly what we have been saying.

‘They explicitly stated they lacked confidence in the original motion because there simply was not enough factual evidence provided to prove that the daily functions of our working port and harbour would remain unaffected.’

The group welcomed Cllr Hook’s amendment and the prospect of a special meeting, adding: ‘This is what happens when a community stands up for its physical infrastructure and working maritime heritage.’

Cllr MacGregor said after the meeting: ‘'m pleased the motion passed.

‘Following amendments, the scope has broadened to look at protection across a range of valued landscapes in Teignbridge, not just the Teign Estuary which I think is a positive outcome, and reflects strong cross-party recognition that residents and stakeholders need to be properly consulted as this work develops.

‘During the debate, some concerns were raised about the impact on Teignmouth's working port. I was glad to set the record straight and be clear that the port, harbour and estuary entrance are explicitly excluded from the proposal, and nothing in this motion affects the Harbour Commissioners' operations.

‘If anything, the debate highlighted where the real, immediate risks to the port actually lie - including the unrepaired crack in the Teignmouth breakwater, which has sat unaddressed amid an ongoing dispute over who is responsible for fixing it.

‘I don't believe existing protections are robust enough. We've already seen sites of real ecological value in this district come under pressure from development despite the protections that were supposed to apply to them. I want to make sure that doesn’t keep happening, and I'll keep pushing for stronger, clearer safeguards for the landscapes that make this district what it is.’