Brixham flats scheme gets the go-ahead

Plans to build 17 new homes on the site of a former paint factory in Brixham have been given the green light.

Torbay Council’s planning committee passed the plans unanimously after hearing how the art deco building in New Road, which was also formerly a builders merchant, would help meet the town’s urgent need for new homes.

There were a number of objections from people living nearby who said the new building, which will be up to four storeys high, will be too big for the site and will destroy their privacy.

However, privacy screens will stop them from being overlooked, and some balconies will be for maintenance only.

Cllr Mike Fox (Lib Dem, Barton with Watcombe) said the site was ‘crying out for a change’.

And he went on: “We are desperate for housing, and in areas like this we could even go slightly higher.”

He said he is frustrated that an independent body had decided that no ‘affordable’ housing could be provided as part of the scheme, but added: “These buildings have been empty for far too long.”

Cllr Adam Billings (Con, Churston with Galmpton) said local people want to see homes built on brownfield sites such as this one rather than in green fields, and Cllr Andrew Strang (Con, Furzeham with Summercombe) said the current plan was the best available for the site.

Committee chairman Martin Brook (Con, Collaton St Mary) told the meeting: “Brixham is crying out for this housing, and this will be a marked improvement.”