A TWENTY-year vision for Hannah's at Seale-Hayne has been welcomed as 'inspirational' by Teignbridge councillors, although some want assurance that any commercial elements will remain secondary.

Ivybridge-based Dame Hannah Rogers Trust, which cares for profoundly disabled youngsters, took over the historic heart of the former Seale-Hayne agricultural college and 40 acres of the 385-acre site in December 2009.

Twenty months on, the trust has won outline planning permission for ambitious plans which it hopes will see it grow to national status.

They include student and staff accommodation, education and therapy suites, medical, health, sports and rehab facilities, performance spaces, workshops, art and music studios, a microbrewery, hotel, galleries, retail as well as improving disabled access round the site.

Initially it will support up to 500 young people – a ten-fold increase from its present number of 50 young people. There will also be the staff to care for them, including therapists, support workers, hospitality workers and grounds staff expanding from 55 to 75.

Agent Joseph Marchant told Teignbridge Council Planning Committee that the master plan would provide a 20-year vision for the campus.

'This will enable the Dame Hannah Rogers Trust to plan a way forward and to apply for various funding opportunities and new partnerships with other charities, organisations and individuals who may come to use and be involved with the campus,' he said on Monday.

Councillor after councillor, many of whom had attended an open day outlining the plans, described the vision and the work of the trust as 'inspirational'.

Cllr Beryl Austen said that until now young disabled people reaching maturity were thrown onto the resources of local organisations and health services.

'With Seale-Hayne hoping to do that work, people may continue to look forward to adulthood.'

The application is one of two currently under consideration. The other is for residential development to the south and east of the site, which is intended to partly fund the scheme.

Cllr Anne Fry, while applauding the aims and ambitions of the trust would have liked the two applications to be considered together, so that the overall effect could be better judged.

'I would like some reassurances that additional infrastructure requirements be assessed. It is linked to other development sites in Newton Abbot and we want to avoid piecemeal development.'

Cllr David Corney-Walker said: 'It has been a delight to see how the people of Dame Hannah Rogers Trust want to work with the people of Newton Abbot. They want to be part of the community and want us to be part of their community as well.'

The scheme was passed unanimously.