A ROW has broken out over what objectors are calling ‘visual vandalism’ as plans have been submitted to remove a wall at Victorian flats in Teignmouth town centre.

The move by the owner of the properties in Orchard Gardens to redevelop the front wall and create more parking spaces has sparked so much anger, residents have formed the Orchard Gardens Preservation Society.

The society says is wants to ‘fight an aggressive new development proposal’ in a ‘highly sensitive heritage site’.

The group warns the plans will ‘permanently scar Teignmouth’s historic streetscape, destroy wildlife habitats, and create a severe safety hazard for pedestrians’.

The owner of the five-storey flats at 5 Orchard Gardens has submitted proposals for planning approval and listed building consent to remove a Grade II listed, decorative masonry wall and create parking spaces for tenants.

They say land to the east of a private road has been a car park for 30 years and was extended in 2003 to provide parking for tenants of number 5.

Part of the original wall and end of the garden was left but the wall has been damaged and needs to be removed.

The owner says this gives an ‘obvious chance’ to add more parking spaces and believes it will create a ‘gateway’ to the town.

But opponents have condemned the scheme as ‘unsustainable over-development that treats the town’s protected history with blatant disregard’.

The applicant proposes to replace the wall with a ‘timber railway sleeper style retaining wall’.

Low panel fencing will be erected beside the wall, also similar to neighbouring properties.

In the planning statement, the applicant says the ‘well intentioned parking space has seemingly outgrown its current size and usefulness’.

The expansion of small flats in Orchard Gardens has overrun available spaces.

The planning statement continues: ‘I had visions of having just four parking spaces for four tenants.

‘Today two unknown cars park up against the wall, obstructing my tenants access and the wall, in a private road, has been damaged.

‘Rather than replacing it, I believe we could create more parking spaces by using the whole space more efficiently.’

The statement claims visitors ‘abuse’ the private road and while there is easement for Right of Way, the expense and time spent of legal enforcement is ‘impossible’.

However, a spokesman for the society said: ‘The plans involve tearing down a Grade II listed, decorative masonry wall and replacing it with cheap, modern timber fencing.’

There are further concerns for protected trees and they say the layout provides no space for vehicles to turn around, requiring reversing over a private road, directly adjacent to a bus stop where visibility onto a busy 30mph road is completely blocked.

The spokesman added: ‘This proposal treats a highly sensitive, protected heritage plot as nothing more than a high-density, multi-car dumping ground.

‘It fails every test of local policy and common-sense safety.

‘We strongly urge the council to stand up for our town’s history and safety, and refuse this application in its entirety.’