A ‘MASTERPLAN’ for Newton Abbot is being planned in a bid to redevelop and revitalise the town centre.

Teignbridge Council has put forward proposals for it to join forces with Newton Abbot Town Council to prepare the masterplan.

Members of Teignbridge Council’s executive committee, which meets on Tuesday, are being asked to give the green light to kick starting the plan which, officers say, will provide a ‘coordinated approach to addressing Teignbridge Council’s assets in central Newton Abbot.

A report to councillors says many of these are ‘currently underutilised, not delivering best value, or present potential liabilities’.

The plan will look specifically at sites including the cattle market, multi-storey car park, Sherborne House, the former Wilko and Post Office building, Wolborough Way Car park, Hopkins Lane, Bradley Lane and the station end of Queen Street.

It will also look into opportunities to relocate the leisure centre.

The total estimated costs of the plan are between £125,000 and £175,000 including one-off costs of structural surveys on the multi-storey car park of between £10,000 and £60,000; a feasibility study on Sherbourne House at £15,000; consultation and engagement activities, including digital 3d and virtual reality visualisations, of £60,000 and urban design work at £30,000.

Previous Newton Abbot town centre studies carried out in 2010 and 2018 identified a range of projects and redevelopment opportunities aimed at revitalising the town centre.

Since then, further studies such as flood risk strategies and car parking studies have been undertaken.

The report says; ‘There is a clear need to consolidate this work and take it forward through a comprehensive Masterplan.

‘These sites represent significant opportunities for regeneration and positive transformation of the town centre.’

A masterplan approach to town centre regeneration will aim to deliver affordable house and extra care accommodation; redevelop Newton Abbot Leisure Centre; identify flood alleviation schemes, as required by the Environment Agency and identify improved sustainable transport links.

The report says the plan will be a ‘delivery-focused initiative, designed to unlock the full potential of publicly owned brownfield land in the town centre.’

It says there is potential to deliver approximately 300 homes on site allocated in the local plan in the town centre.

The plan will also support town centre ‘vitality' through increased footfall, extended activity hours, and enhanced safety and regenerate under-utilised public assets to unlock housing and mixed-use development.

A new transport hub would improve connectivity and encourage more walking and cycling into and around the town.

Enhanced public realm and civic spaces would create a ‘more inclusive and attractive town centre, helping people connect with nature’.

The proposal is that the plan will be carry out in partnership with Newton Abbot Town Council and overseen by a Project Board comprised of officers and councillors from both councils, representatives from partner organisations (e.g. Devon County Council) as well as key community and voluntary sector representatives.

The report continues: ‘The purpose of the Masterplan will be to set the direction for how public assets in the town could be used, informed by a community-led approach.’