BREAKING: Anger over plan to earmark Oldway Mansion grounds for new housing

Anger is mounting in Paignton after the grounds of Oldway Mansion were included in a list of potential building sites across Torbay in the latest version of a council housing strategy.

The draft Local Plan for Torbay was published before Christmas, and members of the public can lodge their comments until January 26.

But some of the sites potentially earmarked for homes have caused controversy already.

The document points out that 46 homes could be built in the grounds of Oldway, citing a planning permission granted by the council in September 2012.

At that time the council passed plans for 46 three and four-bed town houses along with 55 sheltered flats in a four to six-storey building. The areas involved were the indoor bowling club and the Fernham nursing home.

The nursing home has since been demolished to make way for new assisted living apartments while the bowling club still exists.

No work was ever started on the buildings, and planning permission normally lapses after three years unless substantial work has begun.

However, the land at Oldway is among a list of ‘allocated sites’ in the local plan, which adds: “Sites should be developed at the highest density appropriate to their location and consistent with good design.”

The Oldway Gardens Volunteer Group has posted a call to action on social media.

It reads: “Oldway is not just a patch of land – it is a historic estate, a public green space and a vital part of Paignton’s heritage and wellbeing. The gardens are used daily by local residents, families, volunteers, and visitors, and they play an important role in biodiversity, mental health, and community life.

“We are deeply concerned that housing development on the Oldway grounds would permanently reduce precious green space, harm the historic setting of Oldway Mansion, impact wildlife and biodiversity and remove a valued community asset for future generations.”

The group is urging people to make their comments on Torbay Council’s consultation website.

“Oldway Gardens belongs to the community – not developers,” says the statement.

Another proposal in the document – to earmark the car park at Meadfoot beach in Torquay for 10 homes – has also caused concern.

Torbay MP Steve Darling said: “I am really worried that they have done this consultation over Christmas, when everybody’s eye is off the ball.”

The local plan is designed to be a vision and framework for future development, guiding decisions on housing, economy, infrastructure and the environment.

It is used as a ‘starting point’ for planning applications and is intended to be created with community input.

Torbay council says it will review all comments after the consultation ends, to help shape the final version of the plan. 

Cllr Chris Lewis (Con, Preston), who is the cabinet member for place development and economic growth, said: “The consultation will allow local people to tell us what they think about our plans. We’ve made a real effort to focus as much development as possible on previously developed and brownfield sites.”