AN EYESORE site at the gateway to Teignmouth could be transformed into flats.

Plans have been submitted for a proposal to redevelop a former convenience store in Bitton Park Road.

It could mean the end of the dilapidated building which has been a blot on the landscape one of the town’s main roads for more than a decade.

Formerly Dillon’s store, the premises has fallen into disrepair over some years. Town councillors have been calling for action to improve the look of the building and even considered a compulsory purchase of the site.

Now local developers Cloud9 Homes have bought the site and are hoping to convert it into new homes. The company announced it had acquired the premises and its plans.

A spokesman said: ‘We’re proud to have acquired the old Dillon’s in Teignmouth.

‘Being my local store as a child, this is more than just a building project to us.

‘Having been an eyesore in Teignmouth for so many years, it’s a privilege to be able to, hopefully, improve the look to the entrance into the town.’

Architects have drawn up plans for the development to contain four two bedroom apartments and two one bedroom apartments.

Each apartment will have its own level access storage area on the basement floor with electric charging points for E-scooters/bikes, and a level access lift to each floor.

The planning application submitted to Teignbridge planners is for a change of use and conversion including second floor extension to six apartments.

Documents submitted with the application state the building is currently vacant and in a state of disrepair having been so since the Tesco store opposite was constructed 2008.

Bitton Park Road is one of the main routes in and out of Teignmouth.

The proposed scheme is hoping to create good quality and up-to-date residential apartments

It is aiming to reconfigure and extended in places the building to be in keeping with the existing roof-scape and street scene.

In 2018, a previous application to turn the building into a takeaway was approved but not carried through.

The building remains empty but is now in disrepair.

In 2021, some members of Teignmouth Town Council suggested a compulsory purchase of the property but this did not come to fruition.

In the few days since the application was made public, one comment said while the idea for flats was good, there was no provision made for cars in an already congested area where there is limit parking.

One objection was made to the appearance of the flats.

Admitting the site needed redevelopment, the objector said it deserved a more ‘imaginative’ replacement.

It said the design should be better than the existing ‘appalling’ flats on the dual carriageway into Teignmouth and that in a few years, the proposed design would be as ‘tired, scruffy and outdated’ as the buildings opposite.

The application is currently ‘pending consideration’ by Teignbridge Council planners.