Town ‘too small for car owners’

It will not be possible for people in towns like Teignmouth to own a car. That's the stark message from Teignbridge Council planners after they approved a plan to replace the former employment exchange in Clay Lane, Teignmouth, with 29 flats.

On Monday, members of the council's development control committee heard objections to the application by R and J Enterprises. It included 21 parking spaces. Resident Tracey Cousins said that those living in the area 'all objected strongly' to the scheme because parking was already difficult and cars were being damaged owing to restricted space. But Peter Sheldon, the developer's agent, said the 'high density urban development' was both sustainable and unique. At no cost to the public purse, nine of the flats would be leased to Teignbridge and used to house young homeless people, he said. The location was next to a footpath that led straight to town centre services and transport links and, besides, parking was a problem for the council to resolve, not developers. Cllr Geoff Bladon said that while he welcomed affordable homes he thought it was naive to think that people would not have cars and wanted time to negotiate extra parking. 'It's going to cause a serious problem,' he said. Cllrs Fred Tooley and Vince Fusco agreed and said that affordable housing, though needed, should not be 'at the expense of others'. Cllr David Cox said the developer was 'putting a quart into a pint pot'. Cllr Ray Frost praised the flats' 'superb' design and said: 'We as a society will have to accept that in towns like Teignmouth it will not be possible to own a car.' His stance was challenged by Cllr Chris Clarance, who claimed that 'common sense had gone out of the window', but backed by Cllrs David Corney-Walker and Brian Berman. 'There is more to life than providing acres and acres of parking space on restricted land,' said Cllr Berman. Cllr Howard Milton added: 'This obsession with the motor car is ridiculous.' Another call by Cllr Bladon for a deferment while additional parking was identified was challenged by planning officer, Nick Davis, who said that might rule out the affordable homes. 'I don't think there is a cosy compromise on this one,' he said. The scheme was approved 20-4.