Property bought in a £1.25 million deal to advance the regeneration of Newton Abbot includes parts of the historic Bradley Mill complex, we can reveal.

And tenants have signalled their support for the move, saying it could benefit their businesses.

The buildings involved are south of Bradley Lane and include those housing The Music Mill arts hub, the Grants Marble factory and the Benbow Group, which manufactures upmarket interiors for commercial and public clients.

The land has been bought by Teignbridge Council and is the latest in a series of acquisitions worth £2.745million it has made on the industrial estate, although £1.136million has come from grants.

The long term goal is to do away with out-of-date factories to provide a mix of homes and white collar business units.

Dirtier industrial operations could be relocated to purpose-built premises elsewhere.

'I think it's about planning for the future, it's about how we can ensure the vision for Newton Abbot can be achieved,' said the council's assets supremo, Cllr Stuart Barker.

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