SAVE Britain’s Heritage are calling on Teignbridge District Council (TDC) to re-think plans to demolish a historic Newton Abbot site.

In a letter submitted to the Mid-Devon Advertiser, which has been co-signed by Newton Abbot & District Civic Society, The Victorian Society, World Monuments Fund Britain and Historic Buildings & Places, the charity ask TDC to rethink demolishing the Bradley Lane Mills site, calling it ‘short sighted and unnecessary.’ The letter reads: ‘We the undersigned call on the Leader of Teignbridge District Council to re-think the planned demolition of the historic Bradley Lane Mills in Newton Abbot, South Devon.

‘These nineteenth and early twentieth century buildings, under Council ownership, are a unique survivor of Newton Abbot's industrial past.

‘We have seen no evidence that the buildings could not be adapted, converted and re-purposed to new uses, alongside new sympathetic development - creating a new vibrant neighbourhood in the town.

‘Historic England has singled out the buildings for their clear links to important local history and called demolition plans a missed opportunity. A property developer has recently expressed strong interest to the Council in retaining the buildings as part of a new housing development.

‘These buildings can be an economic driver for the town. Continued neglect and demolition is short sighted and unnecessary, and future generations would lament their loss’

Using unallocated monies from the Future High Street Fund, TDC has requested authority to progress with its plan to regenerate the Bradley Mills Site, which would include demolition of existing buildings.

The council will vote on whether to demolish the site on Tuesday, July 30.