Newton Abbot HMO plans get green light despite parking and noise fears
Teignbridge Council’s planning committee has approved revised plans for a former care home in Newton Abbot, allowing the owner to replace a previously approved mix of rooms and flats with 18 HMO rooms
A plan to turn a former care home in Newton Abbot into 18 homes for “young, working professionals” has been approved despite concerns over parking and potential anti-social behaviour.
Members of Teignbridge Council’s planning committee heard that the property next door to 30 Courtenay Road had already been converted into a house in multiple occupation (HMO) with 14 bedrooms.
The same owner, Paul Barclay, asked the committee for permission to turn number 30 into a similar complex.
Barclay already had permission for 12 HMO rooms and two flats, granted on appeal after Teignbridge Council refused the original application.
He now wanted to increase the number of HMO rooms to 18, removing the two flats from the plans.
Barclay told the meeting: “This will be high-quality affordable accommodation, particularly for young, working professionals.”
He said the development next door had received “extremely positive” feedback.
Barclay added that the total number of occupants under the revised proposal would be the same as that already permitted on appeal.
“It is a scheme to make better use of the existing building,” he said. “This will be high-quality rented accommodation.”
Cllr Janet Bradford (Ind, College) said nearby residents had concerns about parking, noise and disturbance, while Cllr Suzanne Sanders (Lib Dem, Chudleigh) pointed out that Newton Abbot Town Council had opposed the plan.
But Cllr David Palethorpe (Lib Dem, Ipplepen) said the revised plans had addressed many of the issues.
“It’s rather sad that we are assuming this may lead to anti-social behaviour when people might be very grateful to have a home and somewhere they can sleep. This is about providing somewhere safe and warm where people can live,” he added.
Council officers recommended approving the application, and the committee voted to follow that recommendation.