councillor and former mayor Reg Wills has hit out at the continued pressure of out-of-town retail developments on Newton Abbot. In a letter to Brian Gray, acting chief executive of Teignbridge Council, he pointed to the retail viability of the town centre and the government call-in of the Trago Mills, Liverton, application. He said many established shops had closed, including ironmonger Chappells, which had traded for more than 100 years. 'I understand that for many years national planning policy has decreed that edge-of-town retail stores were permissible, but out-of-town development should be refused. 'I was dismayed to hear that Teignbridge Council had granted Trago a massive increase for its retail development and this by 23 votes to one. 'Newton Abbot is now facing a further assault on its town centre viability by the application of Arnold White/WBB to build a new rugby pavilion and several pitches, which appears to be very generous until we consider what intentions they have for the redundant Rackerhayes playing area. 'We know that plans are in being to double the size of Tesco. If that should happen, Newton Abbot will receive a body blow with a resultant loss of rateable value as more premises go over to charity shops,' he added. In a letter of reply, circulated to members of the town council's planning committee on Tuesday, Mr Gray said the district authority shared his concerns regarding the impact on town centres and had for several years followed planning policies which safeguard their vitality and viability. He continued that the council's commitment to Newton Abbot's town centre was evident through its support of schemes such as the new Asda development. 'In the case of the proposed garden centre at Trago Mills, I must point out that this application was not for unrestricted development but would have been limited to garden centre sales by way of a planning condition,' wrote Mr Gray. He said there was no reason why the town council could not comment on proposals in other parts of Teignbridge which it considered would affect the role of the town centre or any other of its interests. 'In this regard, your council could have commented on the recent planning application to develop additional retail floorspace at Prestige Pine, Heathfield,' added Mr Gray. l Continued on page 2 l From page 1 Committee chairman Cllr David Howe said Mr Gray's answers were reasonable, but he made it clear that the council did comment on Prestige Pine. 'We really ought to scan weekly lists, such as applications for Kingsteignton and Heathfield. 'In essence the issue of the town centre and development outside is one for the Local Development Framework and the preferred options come out at the end of next month. 'We will have some idea as to where policy is being steered and that is the time for us to comment,' he said. Vice-chairman Cllr David Corney said they had to flag up applications that appeared in the weekly list 'but restrict ourselves to those that are in the planning process and not to speculate'. Members agreed to note Cllr Wills' and Mr Gray's letters and to ask the district authority to be informed of any large development applications outside the town. Wills MDA 15.2.06. JB.
