Teignmouth Town Council welcomes Riverside Boatyard redevelopment scheme

Teignmouth Town Council has thrown its weight behind a scheme to redevelop the Riverside Boatyard site on Bishopsteignton Road

The project proposed by Teignmouth Maritime Properties Ltd (TMP) would keep marine activities at its heart but existing buildings and structures would be demolished and replaced with a mix of new homes, beach hut holiday accommodation, industrial units, offices and community space.

Contaminated soil from the gas works that once occupied the site would be contained within a specially constructed bund, preventing pollution of the adjacent River Teign.

All dwellings would be constructed on stilts to avoid flooding and the materials used chosen to withstand the tidal environment.

An earlier bid to develop the site was thrown out by Teignbridge District Council (TDC) on several grounds including design and lack of information.

Now TMP has said that extensive consultation with District Planning Officers, objectors, community groups and others had overcome the concerns.

In its application it stated: ‘The Riverside Boatyard regeneration project aims to transform an underutilised industrial site into a vibrant, sustainable and community-focused development, significantly enhancing the economic and social fabric of Teignmouth.’

At a meeting of Teignmouth Town Council’s Planning Committee, held at Bitton House on Wednesday July 16, members voted unanimously not to oppose the scheme - the strongest signal of support the system allows.

TMP agent Matt Slater told the meeting that his client had gone ‘over and above’ many of the demands made by TDC and that the scheme before members was the next phase in the site’s 200-year boatbuilding history.

Chairman Cllr Dan Comer said: ‘This really tidies up the site. I do think it will be good for the town, it’s not used to its full potential at the moment.’

Cllr Robert Phipps was particularly impressed with measures to keep the contaminated soil from entering The Teign.

He said: ‘I think that its brilliant, a great thing for Teignmouth to get this private investment.’

The Town Council’s comments will be passed to TDC where a final decision could be taken by the Planning Committee later this year