Brixham flats developers come back for more

Developers who were given planning permission for 17 flats on the site of an old paint factory in Brixham have come back for more.

When permission was given last June for the flats in New Road, some members of the planning committee said they were all in favour of the scheme and thought it could have gone even higher than the four storeys they voted for.

So now the same developers and architects – McCarthy Contracting and Kay Elliott – have taken them at their word.

They have submitted an application for a revised building which increases the number of flats to 23 and adds another floor.

The application says: “At the planning committee meeting, councillors stated that they felt the proposed development could have been higher in order to maximise the potential of the brownfield site and deliver more much-needed housing for the area.

“The revised proposals aim both to address the planning committee’s recommendation for additional housing and to maintain the viability of developing this challenging brownfield site. In doing so, the scheme will deliver 23 new two-bedroom homes on a prominent gateway location, transforming a previously neglected site and providing much-needed housing within the town centre.”

The new building would be similar in design to the Mercure and Ibis Styles hotels on Paignton seafront, which were also constructed by McCarthy’s.

Located on the main road into Brixham, the site forms a part of what was historically a large paint manufacturing facility. It has most recently been occupied by the hardware chain Jewsons, and currently serves as a vehicle mechanic’s workshop.

During the meeting in June Cllr Mike Fox (Lib Dem, Barton with Watcombe) said: “I would even support a higher development. We are desperate for housing within Torbay in areas like this.”

And Cllr Adam Billings (Con, Churston with Galmpton) added: “If there had been a taller development I’d have been open-minded towards that as well.”

However at the initial meeting there were a number of objections from people living nearby who said the new building would be too big for the site and would destroy their privacy.

The latest application has yet to attract any public comments on the council’s website.