GRAND PLANS to regenerate Newton Abbot’s Market Hall have been rejected by town councillors and described as being nothing more than a pub. 

Town councillors and the town development manager have serious reservations about the proposals for the Victorian building which they argue would be detrimental to the town’s economy. 

The town council has lodged its objections to the scheme and Town Development Manager Sally Henley is particularly concerned that too few market stalls were being included. 

The multi-million pound project has been proposed by Teignbridge District Council which owns the Grade II listed building and the land around it to transform and modernise the ageing hall.

It wants to create a street food hall and extra seating where visitors can enjoy a drink from a new licensed bar.

Costs for the redevelopment work were secured by a successful bid through the previous Government’s Future High Street Fund.

If planning approval is given, the work could start later this year. 

Some existing entrance doors would be blocked and a new one created, toilets would be moved and a new internal flight of stairs could lead to a mezzanine floor.

Teignbridge has the power to grant itself permission but when members of NATC’s Planning Committee met to consider the plan, they feared it wouldn’t achieve what the public wanted.

Ms Henley commented that computer-generated images did not show any stalls on the Market Square. 

She said: ’We’re told by Teignbridge that the work is being done to improve the market offer and to make Newton Abbot the premier market town in the region.

‘However, the irony is there’ll be no more space for market activity. It seems that there will only be space for the traders we have currently.

‘There’ll be no spaces for young entrepreneurs to establish a business if the retail space on offer is potentially going to be taken up by existing traders returning to the limited spaces in the hall.

‘I’ve heard many times over the years that people are disappointed we’re no longer a good market town. Visitors arrive and say, ‘is this it?’, when they see the limited stalls on the square and in Courtenay Street.

‘I’ve never heard anyone say ’we need more cafes and bars’, so what’s proposed may disappoint the community which really wants to see a thriving market and not more hospitality.’

Committee Chairman Cllr Mike Joyce said: ‘They’ll be adding to the eateries and drinking establishments already in the town and struggling.’

Cllr Mike Ryan agreed and said: ‘It’s not a market anymore, it’s a pub.’ 

He then proposed that NATC objected to the planning application on the grounds of its potential for negative economic impact.

Cllr Joyce seconded the proposal and it was voted through.

Cllr Colin Parker, also a district member and supporter of the market scheme, said he hoped work could start soon as the Government funding making it possible had time restrictions.

‘We’ve got to start spending the money,’ he said.