TOWN councillors in Teignmouth have taken an unprecedented step of supporting plans to regenerate a run down boatyard despite district planners rejecting the proposals.

Teignmouth town councillors were ‘not impressed’ with Teignbridge District Council’s Planning Committee refusing a plan to regenerate a rundown boatyard in the town. 

At their December meeting, Teignmouth Town Council took the unusual move of voting to write to the local applicant, Peter Stenner of Teign Maritime Services, welcoming his plan to regenerate the Riverside boatyard and asking him to continue with the project.  

The regeneration plans were refused by Teignbridge Council’s planning committee in October. 

Cllr Richard Ash said: ‘Teignmouth Councillors are really disappointed by Teignbridge District Council Planning Committee refusal of plans to regenerate the Riverside Boatyard. 

‘It’s seen as a decision by district councillors who do not have an interest in our town.

‘Lost are offices, workshops, jobs and homes which would have been great benefit to Teignmouth. 

‘Sad too, improving the public right of way which would connect the estuary trail from Morrisons to the town centre along the waterfront which would really encourage active travel, health and tourism is also trashed by this refusal.’

 Teignbridge Councillor Nina Jefferies, welcomed Teignmouth Town Council;’s decision, saying: ‘Teignmouth and our coastal communities desperately need this kind of investment, not just for the immediate improvements to the area, but for the future of the industry. 

‘TMS are exceptional at what they do and their impact is far reaching. 

‘Not only are they extremely competent and innovative in their delivery of Marine services, they are passionate about supporting the local economies in which they work. 

‘I have seen first hand how invested they are in workforce and skills development and the impact this has long term.’

Mr Stenner, managing director of Teign Maritime Properties, had hoped to regenerate Teignmouth’s Riverside Boatyard by building nine homes, industrial units, offices, beach huts and boat storage. 

The site previously housed Teignmouth’s gas works for more than 150 years and currently contains small business units with boat storage. 

 Cllr David Cox said: ‘It’s not easy being on a planning committee, you need the wisdom of Solomon, Government rules mean they must pass applications, they’d rather not. 

‘Most of the time they get it right; however, on Riverside I believe they got it seriously wrong.’

Planning committee members voted against the scheme by eight votes to two. 

Works would have removed the existing boatyard buildings, replacing them with five eco-friendly industrial units, offices, nine open market homes and 16 beach hut-style holiday units, along the sea wall.