A much-discussed ‘1-4-5’ option for reorganising Devon’s councils is gaining traction.

Teignbridge Council is the latest local authority to discuss the proposal, which is being aired by all of Devon’s district councils.

Leader Richard Keeling (Lib Dem, Chudleigh) told a full council meeting: “It’s the end of Teignbridge as we know it.”

He stressed that all options were still open, but said ‘1-4-5’ was viable. It would create three new unitary authorities to govern parts of the county in response to the government’s call for reorganisation.

The government has asked councils to come up with their own strategies by Friday, March. 21

The ‘1’ would be so-called Plymouth Plus, in which the city spreads eastwards to absorb part of the South Hams.

The ‘4’ would be an amalgamation of Teignbridge, Torbay, South Hams and West Devon.

The ‘5’ would be Exeter, East Devon, Mid Devon, North Devon and Torridge.

However, Cllr Phil Bullivant (Con, Bradley) sounded a ‘word of caution’. He said: “Whatever we are looking at must be what is best for the residents of Teignbridge.

“The 1-4-5 option has no natural centre for the generation of wealth. Exeter and Plymouth are outside the ‘4’. Exeter has the university and investment. Plymouth has the university and the freeport.

“With due respect to Torbay, I don’t think they have the attraction that either Plymouth or Exeter has. If we restrict ourselves to a single choice it may come back and haunt us.

“Unitary is coming, but we should not be sticking to just a single option. We want to keep our powder dry.”

Cllr Keeling said the situation was fast-moving and different options may still have to be considered, and council chief executive Phil Shears said councillors were looking at a once-in-a-generation opportunity.

Cllr Stuart Rogers (Con, Ashburton and Buckfastleigh) warned: “We owe it to future generations to make the right decision.”