Press release: SAVE urges council to rethink controversial demolition plans

Historic Bradley Lane Mills tells the story of Newton Abbot’s industrial heyday – and could be a vibrant part of its future

25th July, 2024

SAVE Britain’s Heritage has written to urge a South Devon council to rethink its controversial proposal to demolish a historic collection of 19th and 20th-century mill buildings.

On Tuesday (JULY 30) Newton Abbot councillors will vote on whether to approve the wholescale demolition of council-owned Bradley Lane Mills. This represents an apparent U-turn by the council which has previously shown support for reuse.

SAVE is backing a local campaign led by Newton Abbot & District Civic Society (NADCS), urging councillors to press pause until they have had the chance to be properly briefed.

To show your support for the buildings, write to the interim leader of Teignbridge District Council, Cllr Richard Keeling, at richard.keeling@teignbridge.gov.uk

The new demolition proposal in our view is:

:: Inappropriate use of public funds: A £1.5m government grant intended for a new cinema should not be spent on demolishing re-usable historic buildings owned by the council.

:: Unjustified: We have seen no justification for why the buildings must be demolished now in order to deliver housing. On the contrary we have shown that a scheme retaining the buildings and delivering a variety of affordable homes is possible and advantageous to the town.

:: Premature: To propose demolishing the buildings when no permitted plan exists for their replacement risks the council footing the bill for an empty site that could blight this town centre indefinitely.

We believe councillors are being asked to make a decision that will have an irreversible impact on the future of Newton Abbot – without having all the information they need.

What’s missing?

:: Historic England’s detailed observations on the buildings and concerns that demolition is a “missed opportunity" have not been accurately represented in the report presented to councillors.

:: An experienced developer is interested in buying the site and reusing the buildings to create a vibrant mixed-use district of affordable homes and workplaces. He has written to the council this week making an expression of interest, acting as soon as he heard Lovells’ contract had expired.

Henrietta Billings, director of SAVE Britain’s Heritage, said: “It would be premature for councillors to make a decision about demolition of these valuable buildings without having all the information.

“We urge Teignbridge Council to stick to their original plans – retaining the mill buildings and providing much-needed housing as part of a unique development that will add to the distinctive character and appeal of Newton Abbot.

“Instead of the kind of clone town development that could be anywhere, there is an exciting opportunity to create something deeply rooted in the town’s identity.

“Our alternative vision shows what could be possible, and it has attracted commercial interest.”

Eloise Rokirilov, chair of Newton Abbot & District Civic Society, said: “Bradley Lane Mills is such an important part of Newton Abbot’s history and can be a vibrant part of its future. Councillors and officers must not feel pressured into making a hasty decision. We owe it to future generations to take a step back and consider the bigger picture.”

There is strong local backing for the buildings. One survey reported by the local paper in 2022 found that of 200 people polled, 96% support protecting the town’s heritage, with 93% wanting to see the historic mill building restored. Another, in December 2021, found a minimum of 93% of respondents wished to see the mills and Leat protected and retained.

In a position statement in March 2023, the Local Planning Authority said there was currently “no justification” for the buildings’ loss, adding redevelopment “should be viewed as an opportunity for the history of this site and its importance to the wider history of Newton Abbot to be showcased and to provide the basis of the ‘very high quality urban design’ which [local policy] is seeking.”

The demolition proposal appears to have been driven by a desire to find a use for a time-limited £1.5m government grant originally ear-marked for a scrapped cinema project. Councillors should not feel rushed into a hasty decision before they have seen all the facts.

SAVE campaign

In 2022, in response to a planning application from housebuilder Lovells to raze all the buildings and build a generic housing development, SAVE published an alternative vision by architect Jonathan Dransfield, known for his acclaimed revival of the Perran Iron Foundry outside Falmouth. This reimagines the site as a lively, mixed neighbourhood. Historic buildings would be converted into work and community space, 111 dwellings and 28 affordable housing units with outside space. This compares favourably with the 89 dwellings and 18 affordable units in Lovells’ scheme.

SAVE and Jonathan Dransfield presented the alternative vision at a well-attended public meeting last year which we co-hosted with Newton Abbot & District Civic Society (NADCS). Significantly, the then leader of the council (now MP for Newton Abbot) Martin Wrigley attended the meeting and made a point of openly backing the scheme.

Once it’s gone, it’s gone

The characterful buildings of Bradley Lane Mills tell the story of the town’s rise to prosperity during the Industrial Revolution, a tangible history lesson in 3D. Generations of local families have been employed there, their memories now embedded in the bricks and mortar. The site, right on the edge of the town centre, has a milling history dating back to the 13th century, though the existing buildings were rebuilt after a fire by the famous Vicary’s leather tanners in 1883.

The site is now owned by the council which has been clearing out tenants in anticipation of the abandoned Lovells scheme. While a number of the buildings have been neglected, the majority remain solid structures which the council has identified as heritage assets. Demolishing them would destroy forever an important part of Newton Abbot’s history.

SAVE believes the buildings can be a vital and sustainable part of the town’s future appeal, blending heritage buildings with contemporary uses – while also avoiding the huge carbon cost of a new development.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

1/ For more information contact elizabeth.hopkirk@savebritainsheritage.org or call the office on 020 7253 3500.

2/ Download a copy of SAVE's alternative vision here.

3/ Read more about Bradley Lane Mills' history here.

3/ SAVE Britain’s Heritage is an independent voice in conservation that fights for threatened historic buildings and sustainable reuses. We stand apart from other organisations by bringing together architects, engineers, planners and investors to offer viable alternative proposals. Where necessary, and with expert advice, we take legal action to prevent major and needless losses.