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Homeowners still waiting for compensation for blight of new road

The South Devon Highway opened in December 2015

South Devon Highway benefits thousands, but also distresses nearby homeowners

Householders whose homes have crashed in value after the South Devon Highway opened nearly two-and-a-half years ago are still waiting for compensation.

The road, which bypasses the Penn Inn roundabout at Newton Abbot, has slashed journey time between Exeter and Torbay - and improved the lives of people in Kingskerswell, which used to be frequently gridlocked.

369 residents along the route have put in claims for financial recompense. They say noise levels from the new highway are unacceptable and some properties have suffered structural damage.

Councillor Alistair Dewhurst, representing Ipplepen and Kerswells says Devon County Council had promised they’d be paid in the spring.  He told a meeting of Devon County Council: “We know that for the vast majority of people the highway has been a fantastic thing for them but for the people who live right next to the highway that used to be a green valley, they are suffering on a daily basis and they still don’t know when they will get their compensation. They don’t plainly are not going get it in this month, but they have been told they will get it in the Spring, but the spring started on March 1."

If their claims are successful, homeowners are entitled to payments from the Land Compensation Act if their property has gone down in value because of the highway. Last year, Newton About South Councillor Gordon Hook said: “The South Devon Highway may be of benefit to many and I hope it does produce a real boost to the local economy, however, many of my Aller residents have very negative feelings towards it, and it is my responsibility as their elected representative to speak for them at every opportunity.”

John Hart, leader of Devon County Council, said: “It will be handled when the time are right. Negotiations are going on, and it takes time, but it will happen,, but don’t forget that the road has taken the traffic away from the community.”

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