General Discussion
Does anyone know who owns 13 Weech Rd, the derelict rectory which is a listed building. Hw come it's been left to fall into such disrepair . Despite several interventions by the heritage people. It is a disgrace. The owner should have been made to repair it or the council should have stepped in and billed the owner for repairs. I presume the owner is waiting for it to fall down, so they can build on it. In my modest listed building I can't even put a sattalite dish up.
Its been like that as long as i can remember i believe it is owned by developers who proposed to tear it down and build flats planning was refused because of the listing and so it stands and rots. I forget how long ago all this took place but it's probably 20 or 25 years ago it will eventualy fall down and i presume planning will then be granted.
I think a couple of years ago workmen were on the roof stripping off the remaining tiles, leaving it open to the weather.
I wholeheartedly agree with you all. It seems a complete disgrace that a building with the potential to be at least partially saved to create (say) affordable homes or homes for the elderly is being so badly neglected. Such a 'brownfield' project would not only be 'highly sustainable' (being close to the town centre, transport links and local amenities) the extra homes provided would help keep the pressure off our countryside (beyond the strategic allocations already within the local plan) and help restore civic pride in this area of our town.
A matter for the first agenda of the new Dawlish Town Council, perhaps?
Gary Taylor
Yes, maybe the new Town Council could purchase the building. And, you know, convert it into a Salvation Army centre...?
Probably not the kind of salvation that contributors would wish for - but better than the alternative.
Gary Taylor
The recent history of Tory/LibDem Dawlish council mismanagement of our money suggests that buying it wouldn't be a better alternative...
And this just in...
http://gis.teignbridge.gov.uk/TeignbridgePlanningOnline/Results.aspx?Type=Application&Refval=15/01204/FUL
The Design and Access Statement and the Statement of Significance make interesting reads... plans for the site will come before DTC Planning Committee on Thursday 2nd July, kick-off 7pm.
Gary Taylor
Just had a quck look at some of the planning docs. Seems there are two owners of the site
1. Sterling Property Ltd
and
2. Safebrite Ltd
Anyone have any info on these two companies?
@Lynne. Cheated by looking on Google. Sterling Property ltd. apparently operate in the North West only. as for Safebrite ltd. their registered office is in Greenford Essex. Unless I missed something, which is probable.
There's a Safebrite Properties Ltd at the same address as Sterling Property Develpment Ltd - One American Square Crosswall, London EC3N 2SG. Thry share the same Company Secretary. Safebrite is down as a non-trading company with no asssets, Sterling Property Developments Ltd has £12 million in assets and £12 million in liabilities, but with £5 million cash in the bank, suggest gross liabilities of £19 million. Net worth £3 million.
Dawlish town council's planning committee met last night (2nd July). Here's what the members of that committee think about this planning app.
application if the Highways issues can be mitigated.
The Highways issues are the same for Weech Road as they are for Badlake Hill - access is just not good enough at the turning by the Swan pub. Have lost track of the number of near misses I've seen plus pedestrians being scraped by wing mirrors, etc. It's difficult to know how this could be resolved.
Gary Taylor/Soul of Dawlish you seemed to support approval for development, were you outvoted at the planning meeting? No one will want it as one large dwelling, there isn't any land with it. Seems like it's a going to be stalemate for decades to come unless it's got commercial use potential. Any suggestions?
Yes, I am in favour of the development of this long-neglected site - however while the application had a lot to recommend it (including the retention of the more salvageable parts of the buildings) the majority view was that the scheme amounted to over-development, with a knock-on effect on amenity. Having spoken to neighbours on all sides, most seem to be generally very supportive of development (witness also the on-line comments) provided that parking, access and highways issues can be improved / mitigated.
The matter is likely to go to TDC Planning Committee for a decision so it will be interesting to see how much weight is given to the DTC Planning Committee resolution and to the Dawlish residents and DCC Highway Officer comments. If there is a refusal on grounds per the above (but not on grounds about partial demolition of a listed building) then I believe an improved scheme may well come forward in response.
Gary Taylor