LONG-SUFFFERING residents who are tired of watching an ancient building crumble into an eyesore have thrown their support behind plans to redevelop the site.

Proposals submitted to redevelop a derelict former vicarage in Dawlish have received a horde of letters in support of the scheme.

The plans, however, include pulling down the oldest part of the ancient cob building due to its dire state of disrepair.

In recent years the run-down site has become a hotspot for anti-social behaviour, drug use, an impromptu rat colony, and has even attracted rough sleepers at times.

Attempts to redevelop The Old Vicarage on Weech Road and Vicarage Gardens over the years have so far failed, leading the once glorious building to decline further to the dismay and concern of the town’s residents.

Newly submitted plans – with the unanimous backing of the Dawlish Town Council – are now set to come before Teignbridge planners in the hope to save part of the site from rack and ruin.

The developer is seeking permission to demolish the cob storey and roof of a section of the building.

Plans also seek permission to demolish an extension and restore the Victorian wing, converting it into a single dwelling house.

In addition to restoring the Victorian wing of the building, the developer hopes to get the green light to create a walled garden.

The site sits in district councillor Gary Taylor’s ward, Cllr Taylor, who, among others, is pleased to see progress for the site.

He said: ‘I do feel it’s the best thing for the building. I don’t want to see the whole thing pulled down.’

Cllr Taylor suggested that the space that would be created by removing the cob section of the building would be a benefit the neighbouring residents.

‘It’s sad to see a landmark go,’ added Dawlish councillor Martin Wrigley. ‘But it’s got to the point where something has to happen.’

‘The site has become very dangerous. Walkers using a path next to the site have dodged flying roof tiles in high winds, and even more of the roof collapsed in over the winter. Of course, it would have been nice to restore such a once beautiful building 30 years ago or so, but we are where we are. The oldest building is beyond repair.’

Following further consideration by Dawlish Town Council today, the plans will likely be considered by the brought before the Planning Committee at Teignbridge.