New homes approved for Paignton

Critics say not enough will be affordable

More than a hundred new homes will be built on the outskirts of Paignton, despite criticism that not enough of them will be affordable.

Members of Torbay Council’s planning committee narrowly approved the plans on Tuesday [30 May] for two fields either side of Preston Down Road which are owned by the authority.

The development of 101 homes will include 30 affordable properties with a mix of one-bed accessible flats, two-bed flats, two, three and four-bedroom houses, and three-bed bungalows.

There will also be new road access points, landscaping, public open space and play areas on the fields to the north and south of the main road, between the suburb of Preston and the Sutton Seeds nursery.

Recommending approval, planning officers concluded there are “demonstrable public benefits that weigh in favour of the scheme, notably housing provision, including 30 affordable units, informal play equipment, new tree planting and a range of quality soft landscaping and public access to local green infrastructure.”

Speaking in support, Councillor Barbara Lewis (Conservative, Preston) agreed, stating she was “delighted” that the application will have “only 30 per cent affordable housing,” clarifying that the previous Lib Dem-Independent’s hopes for up to 70 per cent were “untenable, unworkable and certainly not viable for many reasons.”

She added: “We also believe that discussions should take place to take a larger land receipt and use the money to provide greater benefits to a wider audience.

“The site is a prime location in Preston with fantastic views over the bay. If we can achieve more money for the site and use it elsewhere, we could provide more affordable homes so therefore helping even more residents most in need.”

Ed Brown, from the council’s business services company TDA, reiterated the application was “policy compliant,” explaining: “Planning policy requires 30 per cent affordable housing, split equally across social rent, affordable rent and share ownership … which is being provided.”

But a significant number of objections were received with 52 people writing in opposition. Their concerns included the impact on the local area, light and noise pollution, privacy, traffic and access, and the development’s impact on landscape, trees and wildlife.

And Cllr Steve Darling (Lib Dem, Barton with Watcombe), who was council leader until the Conservatives recently took charge at the local elections, criticised the number of affordable homes as being too low, wanting a “minimum of 50 per cent.”

“I would have great difficultly supporting this as it is,” he said. “It’s not serving our community to its best.”

However, the application was narrowly approved, subject to a number of conditions.