Housing 'delay' due to 'limited planning officers'

Councillor Anna Presswell said "the flats are unsightly and sad"

Social housing plans in a Devon town have been "delayed" due to "limited planning officers", a councillor has said.

Tenants from flats on Parkers Way, in Totnes, left in March 2021, and district councillor John Birch said the abandoned flats were an "awful mess" and had been "empty for far too long".

Councillor Anna Presswell said "the flats are unsightly and sad".

South Hams District Council said a planning application to demolish the flats, and build 35 new homes, was under consideration and "nearing completion". The council did not comment further on the delay.

'Depresses the area'

Ms Presswell said the application was "delayed" due the council's lack of planning officers, and said the authority entered a new administration in May 2023.

"It depresses the area and probably depresses people aesthetically as they walk past.

"It does not contribute to a nice place to live.

"We are all aware of it now, and the council is on it. Things have really sped up."

Ms Presswell also said councillors in the area had put out a plea for the Parkers Way application to be given priority due to a shortage of housing.

She said the project would "make a difference to social housing in the area".

The application includes landscaping, car parking and associated works

The application, on South Hams District Council's website, said 36 two/three bed flats would be replaced with 35 new homes, consisting of one, two and three bed accommodation for social rent.

It added it would include landscaping, car parking and associated works.

Ms Presswell said: "The council will ensure the rent will be capped and residents will be allocated from the Devon Home Choice register."

Councillor Dan Thomas, South Hams District Council's executive member for planning, said: "It will be able to be approved following the signing of the S106 legal agreement which concludes the application.

"The scheme will then be able to start the development process.”

Livewest said in its application the flats were built in the 1960s

Mr Birch said: "Hopefully the planning permission will be granted shortly, and I hope [applicant] Livewest move in straight away.

"It is unfortunate the process has taken too long in my view.

"I hope Livewest get on with it sooner rather than later."

A spokesperson for Livewest said it was unable to comment until the application had been approved.

Livewest said in its application the flats were built in the 1960s and designed in such a way to minimise building costs.

Residents were moved out in 2021 as the basement flats suffered from widespread damp, Livewest said.