Decision day for new Brixham homes plans

Councillors advised to reject both proposals

Controversial plans to build more than 100 new homes across two locations in Brixham comes before Torbay planners next week.

Council officers will be recommending that both proposals are turned down.

Both have been the subject of debate on social media, with local residents concerned the new homes will overwhelm local services including the sewerage system.

The first application is for land to the south-west of Copythorne Road, currently open fields on the outskirts of the town.

Tiverton-based developer Peloton Land wants to build up to 77 homes, with 24 designated as affordable housing, and areas of open space including a public park and landscaping.

However, councillors will be told the application is ‘in conflict’ with the local development plan and would harm the landscape. Of 184 comments received by the council, all but one object.

One writes: “Please don't pass this application, it opens up our green fields for more greedy developers. Listen to the local people who are against this latest plan, we are the ones who have to live with it.”

And a statement from Brixham Town Council says: “This proposal for major development would have a significant detrimental impact on the landscape character and scenic beauty of this part of the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty that is not mitigated by exceptional circumstances in the public interest.”

The other application in Brixham is for the demolition of existing industrial buildings off St Mary’s Road, to be replaced with 28 homes. Of those, 22 would go on the open market and six would be ‘affordable’.

The buildings are known as the St Mary’s industrial estate and the old dairy, and the site has already been earmarked for housing.

However, objectors say the current plan is overdevelopment and will have an impact on infrastructure including local health services. Brixham Town Council is among those against the plans.

Supporters say it removes an eyesore and would provide much-needed homes.

The application has been made by Plymouth-based Westcountry Land Enterprises.

Council officers list 10 reasons why the application should be turned down, including its impact on the landscape, with buildings which are ‘stark, incongruous and dominant’.