ALMOST 200 people responded to a heritage survey into plans to redevelop a Newton Abbot town centre site for housing.

Overwhelmingly 96 per cent of those who responded supported protecting the town’s heritage with 93 per cent wanting to see the site’s historic mill building kept and restored.

The Bradley Lane mills, otherwise known as Vicary’s Mills, dates back to the 13th century.

It has connections with neighbouring Grade 1 listed Bradley Manor when the mill served the manor house.

Newton Abbot Civic Society asked for views on the site.

Teignbridge Council is planning to sell off the brownfield town centre site to a developer for new housing. The plans are for 20 per cent affordable housing, improved pedestrian and cycle routes and boosting flood resilience.

Money from the sale would go to invest in future projects.

Of the responses, 27 per cent had relatives who had worked at the mill while 94 per cent supported renovating the mill rather than demolishing the building and rebuilding.

When asked what the site should be used for in future, 44 per cent said a theatre and arts venue while 22 per cent said social housing, 18 per cent affordable housing, 20 per cent a museum and 23 per cent employment space.

In terms of the leat, 94 per cent were in favour of seeing it remain with 87 per cent wanting to keep it above ground.

Among the additional comments were: ’There is no turning back once out incredible history and heritage has been destroyed. I implore any planners, developers and the council to do everything in their power to protect this beautiful historic area forever.

Another said: ’Should the Bradley mill buildings be destroyed, this will result in the town losing more of its heritage. If this continues, the history of the town will be forgotten.’

Other comments said: ’The buildings hold such beauty and history, we should keep them as part of our heritage.

’The history and character of Newton Abbot needs greater respect, preservation and conservation.’

Further comments related to the wildlife in the area, particularly surveys for swifts, house martins and bats.

Other suggestions were to preserve such buildings to provide community space.

One response said: ’The heritage of our local area should be preserved and not sacrificed in pursuit of short term profit.’

Another said: ’There is a great opportunity to make some truly stunning spaces here.’

However, there were a few comments that the building as it exists would be difficult to convert to modern requirements and the internal layout would in inflexible and difficult to insulate.

One said: ’While some of the historic links are interesting it does not necessarily mean that this makes them essential to retain.

’Any demolition or retention should be judged against what is being proposed.’

But another said: ’Beautiful historic buildings like these should be treasured.

’It will be sacrilege if these mill buildings are demolished.’

BY ELLEN GRINDLEY