The companies behind the Kingsteignton 'urban village' plan have revealed details of a bid to develop a major service station complex at Pitts Plantation, Ilford Park. Arnold White Estates and WBB Minerals Ltd have submitted a joint planning application to develop an 80-bedroom budget hotel, pub and motorway service station offering food and fuel adjacent to the A38 Drumbridges roundabout. The multi-million pound plan has, according to the companies, the backing of the Highways Agency. which is reported to have said: 'No better site exists.' The plans, if approved, would not affect the current Ilford Park Polish Home nor the 300 static caravan site planned to replace its abandoned huts. The existing A382 Newton Abbot to Bovey Tracey road would be altered and the existing Trago Mills junction replaced with two new roundabouts. The UCZ Paintball business would have to move out, but owner Nigel Hanson has already said he has other plans 'in the pipeline'. The current application falls short of the full 'prestigious gateway development' first mooted by the companies in 2004 when they talked about developing office blocks, coach transfer station and other facilities. Those ideas are still waiting in the wings, however, according to AWE chief executive Bob Williams, who said the area could benefit from investment in its infrastructure. 'We know the economy of the south west is strong, but the challenge is to bring in better quality jobs, and to do that we need better quality office space which currently is not in great supply in and around Newton Abbot,' he said. 'We've got a great deal of support for our plans and people can see the power of the logic.' Mr Williams said the services complex could be open by 2008, if approved, and provide up to 300 new jobs. He talked about the project's 'design excellence' and said: 'We aspire to make sure the development will fit in with Stover Park and nearby Dartmoor and we shall be joining with planners to achieve that.' Planners at Teignbridge are on record as stating that the 'gateway' scheme first outlined by AWE would not be permitted as the site was designated as countryside. Mr Williams said the trees on the site were a cash crop and due to be felled before long. Teignbridge Council has 13 weeks in which to determine the application.
