Concerns over colour of Newton Abbot apartment block

Claims it resembles a giant turd on brownfield site

Planners have said yes to a new building in the centre of Newton Abbot despite being told it looks like ‘a giant brown turd’.

Teignbridge Council's planning committee gave the go-ahead for a block of 23 new social rent apartments on the old bus station site off Kingsteignton Road.

They heard that the flats would be low carbon, accessible to all and virtually car-free. They would give the town the kind of accommodation it badly needs.

But some members were unhappy at the design, which they were told would be reddish-brown and grey, with a large green panel.

Cllr Alex Hall (SD Alliance, Buckland and Milber) said: “It doesn’t look in keeping with the town at all. One of the blocks is just going to look like a giant brown turd.”

And Cllr Andrew MacGregor (SD Alliance, Bishopsteignton) agreed: “I wouldn’t go as far as Cllr Hall, but I think the colour scheme is wrong.”

He feared there wasn't enough parking, and added: “This is a good use of a brownfield site, but are we doing enough to ensure that the people we serve are getting the proper amenities they need to go along with the site?”

Several councillors expressed concerns over the planned size of the block, which will go up to four storeys high.

Cllr Suzanne Sanders (Lib Dem, Chudleigh) told the meeting: “We want to increase footfall in Newton Abbot, but we don’t want it to be people coming to look at this awful building!”

But Cllr Jackie Hook (Lib Dem, Bushell) said: “It is a substantial building but it is appropriate within the town centre context. It is an improvement on the car park that is there at the moment.

“And it is 100 per cent social rented housing, and that’s a thing to be celebrated.”

A percentage of the apartments will be offered to existing social housing tenants who want to downsize and free up much-needed larger family homes.

Priority will be given to applicants with a connection to Newton Abbot.