Paignton motel could become homes

Developers try again to get approval

Developers with their sights set on turning a derelict Paignton motel into 30 new homes will come back to Torbay planners next week to have another go.

Torbay Eden was given permission in July for a plan which councillors said would tidy up a notorious eyesore, but the project has been delayed. Now they have to go back to the Torbay Council’s planning committee for another decision.

The Torbay Holiday Motel at Blagdon on the outskirts of town has been empty for years and has attracted vandalism and anti-social behaviour.

This is the third time the council has considered plans to redevelop the site, which was once a thriving motel with a swimming pool, bar, restaurant and social areas.

The council’s Collaton St Mary masterplan earmarks the location for housing, and it could become a ‘gateway’ to other proposed housing developments on fields nearby.

Members of the planning committee will hear that one of the conditions they imposed on the original go-ahead can no longer be carried out.

They wanted Torbay Eden to spruce up the Beechdown Court apartments block on the same site, but that was sold to a third party just before the July meeting. The developers have, however, offered £20,000 towards the work if the new owners agree.

Torbay Eden’s application for up to 30 new homes is an outline request at this stage, and more details will follow.