60 new homes planned for Paignton

Land on Long Road currently vacant

More new houses on the outskirts of Paignton are likely to be given the go-ahead, despite local doctors saying they cannot cope with more patients.

Torbay council’s planning committee meets next week with an agenda that includes plans by developers Abacus Projects and Deeley Freed Estates for up to 60 new homes on vacant land off Long Road which is bordered by a Lidl store, a Premier Inn and the EPIC high-tech business start-up centre.

The developer, which is also behind the nearby Inglewood development, wants outline permission to build on the 12,000 square metre site at Waddeton Approach, and will submit details of the proposed access. Parking will be provided for 79 vehicles.

The development would feature three-bedroomed houses and flats or maisonettes to be sold on the open market. A number will be for social and affordable housing.

Just a handful of objections have been received, citing issues such as noise, fumes and parking problems.

However, the Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust says that with an estimated 230 new residents, the development would increase pressure on local services. The trust says: “GPs in this area are operating at full capacity and cannot absorb the resulting increase in patients.”

Planners are expected to give the proposal the go-ahead next week providing that 30 per cent of the homes are ‘affordable’ and cash contributions are made towards local NHS services.

There will also be a number of other conditions.