Newton Abbot 'party flat' closed over noise

Neighbours have welcomed the closure of a Newton Abbot flat at the centre of complaints over all-night parties.

Torquay magistrates granted a closure order to Teignbridge District Council and Devon and Cornwall Police.

The council said the order "sends a clear message that we will not sit idly by while people suffer".

An 18-year-old woman moved into the Teign Housing flat in Brunswick House on a 12-month probationary lease in April.

The council said the order followed months of noise, late-night parties, litter thrown from windows and verbal abuse towards neighbours, often from visitors rather than the tenant.

It said the tenant had been given written and verbal warnings, but the problems had carried on.

'Tough measure'

Police and local authorities have the power to close residential premises if persistent disorder is proven to magistrates.

Neighbour Alan Hutchison said: "Three weeks after she moved in there were parties every night, some nights from 11pm to 5am.

"There was screaming and people backwards and forwards all night long, banging on the door, whistling, throwing stones.

"I spoke to them three or four times but they just went upstairs and turned up the music. It became absolutely intolerable.

"It's so nice now to get a good night's sleep. It's a lovely block of flats."

Anyone whose home is subject to a closure order is considered by the council to be "intentionally homeless", and not eligible for further housing support in the area.

The closure order is the sixth in Teignbridge since 2009.

Councillor Kevin Lake said: "A closure order is a very tough measure which has only been used in Teignbridge on a handful of occasions.

"We don't take this step lightly."