SWANSON Motor Company has pulled out of a planning application at Eastcliff car park, Teignmouth, in a bid to take the 'heat out of the steam' at election time.
Owner Jim Swanson insists that Eastcliff is a good move but is concerned that the application may be rejected to save seats at the council.
'You cannot expect any sensible decisions to be made at election time because everyone is protecting their backs.'
The reluctant decision comes after advice from the Ford dealership.
Mr Swanson said: 'Other possible suggestions have been made recently, and we have decided to explore these in detail before finally deciding what to do with our Eastcliff project.'
Mr Swanson stated that a reapplication at Eastcliff is a possibility but no decision had yet been reached.
'We have a very good business here with loyal customers and superb staff. We live and work in the town and the last thing we want is to upset our workers and customers.'
accepting the withdrawal, district and town councillor Vince Fusco expressed concern that Teignbridge Executive Committee had not listened to the 3,500 people who signed a petition of objection. 3,500 people have specifically asked that Eastcliff would be retained as a car park and coach park and a community centre.
'They should have made a definite decision because it leaves it open so that Swanson can still apply for planning permission. What the executive have done is closed the front door and left the back door open.'
Town councillor Fred Tooley said that he was 'very thrilled' at the decision.
'common sense has prevailed and it would be ridiculous for them to even attempt to apply again. There will still be opposition,' he said.
Meanwhile, Cllr Geoff Bladon has answered points raised by Cllr Phillips.
'If the council could have acquired the strip of land adjacent to Eastcliff upon which it could have replaced the parking spaces lost by the proposed move, then Swanson's and the Eastcliff Centre could have both been successfully sited at Eastcliff in harmony with the car park and the coach park with no loss of car parking whatsoever.
'The necessary strip of land was no longer available so the Eastcliff centre could be re-sited at the bottom of the car park in a purpose-built building which would also increase car parking there.
Swansons could be rebuilt at Brunswick Street but on a larger footprint incorporating the old Teignmouth Post newspaper site. This is not a change of mind, just good, sound common, sense. There can be no cost of repairs to be borne by the ratepayers if Swanson's remains where it is. If Swanson's were to move to Eastcliff, the cost of building the showroom would have been theirs alone to bear – not the ratepayers and furthermore, Swanson's would have had to pay ground rent to the council. The present building would be demolished and Swanson's, at their expense, would be required to build a new one totally in keeping with the area.
'The Final Draft of the Teignmouth Economic Study carried out by the Halcrow Group in association with South West Tourism was released to councillors this week.
'it is very gratifying to see that the results of that study in relation to Swanson's remaining where it is are in agreement with my suggestion. It is also very gratifying to see that the study also agrees with a lot of other things I have put forward, such as the water sports centre, the construction of a marina, the re-opening of the cinema, a theatre, an arts education centre and the decking of the Quay Road car park amongst other things.
'What should be of a very major concern to all Teignmouth councillors was the surprise suggestion in the report that what should be sited at Eastcliff is a quality supermarket.
'This is, of course, something I consider preposterous and would totally resist.
'It is barely five years since Teignmouth Town Council completely ignored public opinion, my own wishes as a ratepayer together with those of the townspeople, and allowed the destruction of a perfectly good car park in Brook Street by replacing it with a supermarket nobody wanted.'