Fresh plans to regenerate a boatyard on the edge of Teignmouth have been submitted to planners today (Thursday April 15), two and a half years after Teignbridge rejected proposals to develop the site.

Teignmouth Maritime Properties and MJS Planning & Design submitted the revised planning application for the regeneration of the Riverside Boatyard on Bishopsteignton Road to Teignbridge District Council following a major consultation exercise.

The developers have spoken with numerous interested parties including community groups, members of the public, planning officers, heritage consultants and landscape architects.

‘This revised application presents a collaborative, policy-compliant, and community-led vision for the site,’ said Matt Slader, director of MJS Planning & Design. ‘It seeks to unlock the potential of this underused brownfield estuary-edge location through a carefully balanced, mixed-use scheme.’

He noted that the new design is significantly smaller, with fewer houses and beach huts, than the previous scheme and better aligned with the site’s historic footprint.

Formerly a gasworks, the Riverside Boatyard was acquired by Teignmouth Maritime Properties in 2018. The site currently provides boat storage, mooring, maintenance servicing and repairs.

The new plans include:

- Modern, purpose-built industrial units to support the grown of local businesses and facilitate the establishment of new enterprises.

- Nine beach-hut style holiday lets aimed at enhancing visitor appeal and easing pressure on the local rental market.

- Six high quality waterside residences, which will fund infrastructure such as a flood defence wall.

- Four flexible office suites that will be designed to support local services, including a classroom, community hub and foodbank,

- Enhanced boatyard facilities to ensure its continued benefit to local boat owners and the wider community.

‘This proposal represents a thoughtful regeneration opportunity, designed to deliver lasting benefits for Teignmouth’s residents, visitors, and businesses,’ Matt commented. ‘It reflects a strong commitment to sustainability, inclusivity, and long-term environmental improvement.’

Plans to regenerate the Riverside Boatyard on Bishopsteignton Road were originally submitted in July 2020. However, after two years of revisions and delays, Teignbridge planning officers rejected the proposals in October 2022. While some councillors were in favour of regenerating a neglected, ‘eyesore’ site, others were concerned about the size of the development, the lack of affordable housing, traffic congestion and access, and the its impact on the ecology of the Teign Estuary, particularly in relation to its oyster beds.

Since then, the developers have consulted with numerous stakeholders to shape the new proposals.

‘The reasons for the original refusal formed the foundation of the redesign,’ Matt explained. Teignmouth Maritime Properties and MJS Planning & Design met with planning officers to understand their concerns with the initial application. They also consulted with local businesses, charities and community groups to ensure the new proposals would meet the town’s needs. MJS worked closely with a heritage consultant and landscape architect before running the plans past a design review panel. Public objections were also taken into consideration.

Last summer, the plans were presented to the public at an event at Bitton House. Feedback from the day and through questionnaires and social media resulted in some adjustments before the final plans were submitted.

Speaking prior to the public event, Matt reported that ‘the revised proposals come very much from a community perspective’.