Devon demolition slammed as 'cultural vandalism'

A fresh legal challenge could delay the building of 100 new homes in the centre of Newton Abbot.

Conservation campaigners who want Teignbridge Council to think again about knocking down a building in Bradley Lane have given the council notice of a judicial review.

The scheme involves knocking down the old mill building, but has been criticised by objectors who say it is ‘cultural vandalism’. Now conservation campaign group Save Britain’s Heritage (Save) has lodged the legal challenge.

One of the buildings on the site is Vicarys Mill, known locally as the Launa Building.

It was home to a paper mill in the 1700s, but has been rebuilt a number of times since. It is now empty, and has been badly vandalised. The council says it costs hundreds of thousands of pounds every year just to maintain it.

The redevelopment would be funded with £2.4 million from the government’s Future High Streets fund, money ‘left over’ after the council decided earlier this year to axe a planned town centre cinema scheme.

There has already been one intervention from the Historic Buildings and Places organisation, formerly known as the Ancient Monuments Society.

It said it had ‘deep concern’ over the demolition of ‘architecturally characterful’ buildings on a site where milling dates back to the thirteenth century.

Cllr David Palethorpe (Lib Dem, Ipplepen) told the council’s executive committee: “Bradley Lane remains pivotal to Newton Abbot’s regeneration, and to addressing the essential housing and infrastructure needs for the future of the town.

“However, we have received a letter from Save – a judicial review – which is currently with our legal department.”

He said the government money had to be spent by a deadline early next year. Cllr Palethorpe said not meeting the spending deadline would put the entire project in jeopardy.

Save has been contacted for comment.