BBC Radio Devon

A Torquay restaurant owner said clientele from a homeless centre had been urinating, vomiting and throwing rubbish into his courtyard.

Tristan Toms said: "We are all at our whits (sic) end with this now. It is not suitable a premises for what it is being used for.

"This area of the town is already suffering enough with drug users loitering around."

Fifty one people have objected and 45 have supported Humanity Torbay's plans, external to allow food to be served at its rented Castle Road premises.

Charlotte Croft, who used to be homeless and moved to the area from Blackpool, said: "When I first moved here I had nothing and was struggling with my benefits.

"Humanity helped with with food, bedding and when I get depressed I go down and have a brew with them, they have been absolutely amazing.

"They are genuine people trying to help people who are homeless and it's not just about the homeless, it's also about mental health and the need for support."

Hamish Marshall
BBC Spotlight

A five-year study involving 80 schools in Devon has found ignoring some bad behaviour can improve academic results and the mental health of children.

Withycombe Raleigh Primary in Exmouth, which took part in the research, is now looking to extend the plan.

University of Exeter academics found the Incredible Years Programme, which acknowledges good behaviour and lets low level disruption pass, has significant benefits.

Prof Tamsin Ford, from the University of Exeter Medical School, led the study....

Chloe Axford
BBC Spotlight

The owners of a 12-week-old puppy from Plymouth who climbed on to the roof of their home said it "felt like hours" that "our baby" was on top of their home.

The Hungarian Vizsla, Thatch, managed to climb out of a skylight window and had to be brought down by firefighters on Monday.

Owners Matt Hatcliff and Katie Newton thought he was safely in their kitchen after joining the family only a few days earlier.

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said crews took less than 30 minutes to save the puppy.

Andrew Segal
BBC Local Live

Police say they are trying to trace a female doctor who helped casualties at a double fatal collision on the A38 near Glynn Valley in Cornwall in May.

The collision involved seven vehicles and a motorcycle at about 17:45 on Sunday 6 May, near the Liskeard branch of discount retailer Trago Mills.

The rider of the motorcycle and his pillion passenger - 61-year-old Brian Pook, from Plymouth, and Jennifer Parsons, 64 - both died in hospital after the crash.

Police said, external members of the public "immediately assisted at the scene", providing first aid; and, after talking to a number of those people, were keen to "trace a female doctor who assisted the rider of the motorcycle".

Officers said: "She was the first medical professional on scene and could hold vital information to assist police with their inquiries."

Richard Whitehouse
Local Democracy Reporting Service

The future of Cornwall's air link with London could be up in the air until September.

Flights to London Gatwick from Cornwall Airport Newquay, currently by Flybe, have been running since 2014 under a Public Service Obligation (PSO) Cornwall Council secured with the government, which subsidises the route.

That is set to expire in October, so the council, which operates the airport, has had to issue a new tender to operate a service from Newquay to a London airport.

The council has identified a preferred bidder, so far unnamed, but has to have its choice approved by the Department for Transport and agreement that the PSO will continue before it can award the contract.

The current service to Gatwick can, technically, move to Luton, Standsted or London City Airport.

A report for a Cornwall Council cabinet meeting on 24 July states that the London service accounts for 40% of all passengers using the airport at Newquay.

It added that the loss of the service would "significantly impact on the airport income, and subsequently the council subsidy for the airport"; as well as cost the local economy about £50m, "taking account of airport jobs and tourism jobs".

The council will be hoping that Secretary of State for Transport Chris Grayling will give support to the preferred tender. It is not expected that he will make a decision until September.

Cornish Stuff

Private sector landlords in Cornwall who do not meet new standards or turn a blind eye to criminal activity could face banning orders, tougher licensing rules and fines of up to £30,000 for criminal or anti-social behaviour, external.

The new powers will target enforcement in properties associated with criminality and take private landlords to task if they or their tenants are breaking the law.

Richard Whitehouse
Local Democracy Reporting Service

A developer behind plans to convert a former GP doctors' surgery into accommodation has dismissed claims it could house offenders, saying it would be home to teachers and health professionals.

A planning application has been submitted to transform the former GP practice in Woodland Road in St Austell into a house of multiple occupation (HMO) with 15 bedrooms.

The new plans have received 45 comments online so far - all of which raise objections, including concerns that sex offenders and drug users could live in the property, which is opposite a play park and a primary school's playing fields.

Image source, LDRS

Property Group South West said it "acknowledged the concerns raised", but that all the "high quality" rooms "in this lovely neighbourhood" would be en-suite and there would be a maximum of 22 occupants.

It said: "Examples of proposed tenants would be council staff, healthcare professionals, teaching professionals, supermarket employees, town centre employees and workers in the tourism industry.

"The ideas suggesting that this will be a social housing facility, rehabilitation centre or any other type of facility is untrue."

A public meeting has been organised for people to discuss the plans and share their views. It is due to be held on Monday 23 July at 18:00 at St Austell Town Council's offices.

BBC Spotlight

Have you any pictures you want to share with us? If so, please email them in.

Experts say the creature could potentially be dangerous because it was seen in a confined harbour.

Swimmers are being urged to stay out of the water after a shark was spotted in a harbour.

BBC Spotlight

Here's the outdoor Minack Theatre in Porthcurno, Cornwall, looking amazing in this drone shot from the guys at Checkered Photography.

Image source, Checkered Photography

Have you any pictures you want to share with us? If so, please email them in.

BBC Radio Devon

A homeless charity in Torquay has been criticised over clientele taking drugs and drinking outside its town centre base.

Image source, Google

It comes after Humanity Torbay made a change of use application to allow it to serve food at its rented Castle Road building.

The application, external to Torbay Council has received 51 objections and 45 in support.

Isobel Cowley said she was "very fearful to be in the same area as this place".

She said: "I have a very young baby and to witness this behaviour right on my doorstep is sickeningly worrying.

"It's affecting the local area massively, littering, loitering, violent and abusive language, obvious drug taking and consumption of alcohol on the public walkway, in the street and on the local businesses."

Humanity boss Ellie Waugh said: "It's better that they take drugs where we can get an ambulance and if we had better drugs facilities it would not be happening.

"It's better that they are with us rather than walking up and down the High Street."

She has been campaigning for the change of use with herself and others from the charity offering food to the homeless outside the town hall.

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Bringing you the news, sport, travel and weather for Devon and Cornwall for Friday 13 July.

Bringing you the news, sport, travel and weather for Devon and Cornwall

Bringing you the news, sport, travel and weather for Devon and Cornwall

Bringing you the news, sport, travel and weather for Devon and Cornwall