Cottage approved after unlawful demolition

Some of the work that was carried out at Singleton Gardens in April exceeded the planning consent

A controversial plan to build a cottage on a historic garden site in a conservation area has been approved.

The development at Singleton Gardens in Torquay has caused heated debate in the community with a protester against the project claiming to have been assaulted.

Plans to partially renovate an existing gardeners' cottage were previously given planning consent in March 2024 but Torbay Council said the developer carried out unauthorised demolition work which meant a new application was needed.

An enforcement notice was issued as a result of the demolition work over the Easter Bank Holiday and the developer has appealed against that with a decision yet to be made.

A stop notice was issued by Torbay Council after demolition work was carried out at the site

Torbay Council's planning committee heard this was the latest in a series of applications made for the site on Meadfoot Sea Road in the Wellswood area of Torquay.

Mike Cowdery from the Torquay Neighbourhood Forum said the latest planning application did "nothing but sow further confusion on an already muddled series of applications and appeals".

The meeting heard if the developer's appeal against the enforcement notice failed, the developer would have to rebuild the original cottage using "like for like materials".

Mr Cowdery said the council should defer any decision until there was a decision from the planning inspector regarding the developer's appeal against the enforcement action.

Ann Hodson spoke in favour of the development and said the wall which was demolished had "begun to crumble".

She said: "The cottage was and is structurally inhabitable."

Ms Hodson said there had been "unforgiveable personal hostility" as a result of the development.

The plans were approved subject to a series of conditions.