DESPITE objections from residents, Hannon Homes was granted permission to construct six flats with adjacent car parking on a site off 125 Coombe Vale Road, Teignmouth. The company had approval for five flats and was asking to increase the number by one in revised plans, writes John Balment. Objector Adam Morrison, of Coombe Vale Road, said he was speaking on behalf of residents who were vehemently opposed to the new proposals. He said there were three key issues. One was allowing overlooking windows which would result in less privacy for neighbours. Another was poor design and appearance of the building which was out of character with the area, while it was already a highly populated area with parking problems and there was a safety issue with the road, in which there was a school and a post office, being used as a rat run. Cllr David Cox said he was disappointed that the developer had not waited and had started work making a parking space for the sixth flat before there was planning permission. Unsuccessfully proposing refusal, Cllr Cox believed it was overdevelopment. 'Since I went to school we have had 500 houses built in that area and this will add more problems,' he said. Cllr Keith Smith said it was one extra flat for a town that desperately needed housing. But Cllr Cox replied that the area was at 'saturation point'. 'I know we desperately need housing, but this is not the area for it. This is squeezing a quart into a pint pot,' he added. The application was approved on a 12-9 vote.
