A vast expanse of neglected land, often likened to ‘Chernobyl-on-Sea’ due to its desolate state, sits on the former site of a gasworks, filled with debris that has remained untouched for over a decade.
Situated at Hollicombe, between Paignton and Torquay, the property owners express intentions to develop the area once it becomes economically viable. Despite the removal of the old gas holders and the cleanup of toxic remnants from its industrial past a decade ago, the land has remained barren.
Although approval was granted for the construction of 185 residences in 2012, no progress has been made on the project. Vistry Homes, the owners, state that the development plans are continuously evaluated, with a commitment to proceed with construction when the conditions are favorable.
Hollicombe is recognized as a critical “brownfield” location for development in Torbay, where the demand for housing land is urgent. The three-acre plot, located in the valley between Tarraway Road and Mead Road, is currently strewn with debris and damaged fencing.
Local graffiti artists painted wooden hoardings along the main road linking Paignton and Torquay in response to community concerns. The first public presentation of plans for the Hollicombe site was in 2007, after the gasworks had been dormant for nearly four decades. Efforts by residents to transform the area into a park were unsuccessful.
Initial proposals by now-defunct Midas Homes included designs for 185 new residences, featuring a mix of one, two, and three-bedroom units, with 44 designated as affordable housing. Strong opposition, primarily citing increased traffic concerns, led to the formation of a Hollicombe Action Group to contest the development plans.
During council discussions, it was acknowledged that a comprehensive decontamination process was necessary. At one point, a planning committee member likened the area to Chernobyl-on-Sea, drawing parallels to the infamous nuclear disaster in Ukraine.
In late 2010, council officers recommended approval for the residential project alongside a public park. The green light was given in early 2011, contingent on the installation of a large cover to prevent the spread of toxic dust during excavation.
However, the venture was halted in April 2011 for an environmental assessment mandated by the Government. By the following year, assurances were given that the project had resumed, and residents were assured of the successful removal of toxic residues from the site in 2015 under protective measures.
Despite these developments, the land remains unoccupied, with no housing structures erected. Maps indicate the presence of a road named Cudd Hill Road within the area, yet the road has never been constructed.