South Hams District Council has decided to only press ahead with the development of Kingsbridge in two areas.

When the consultation was launched earlier in the year, the ‘masterplan’ for the Quayside, also known as K2, included four areas, but only Areas 3 and 4 will now be progressed.

Area 1 was the roundabout, bus station and taxi rank area at the bottom of Fore Street (for redesigning), Area 2 was the Quay car park (for development of luxury properties and business property), Area 3 is land next to the Cattle Market car park (for development with possible affordable housing), and Area 4 is at the bottom corner of Kingsbridge Community College grounds (for community housing).

Most of the controversy surrounding the project was centred on Area 2. This area, along with Area 1, has now been removed from the plans and SHDC will only move forward with development of areas 3 and 4.

The vote to adopt the recommendation to only take forward Areas 3 and 4, was passed with two votes for and four abstentions, two of which from Cllr Keith Wingate and Cllr Rufus Gilbert who were required to abstain because they represent the Kingsbridge ward.

Cllr Keith Wingate said the proposal was a “far better outcome than the previous proposal” he continued: “I think its manifestly democratic, I think the town can feel like they were listened to, I think it is a good outcome for everybody. I am pleased to be able to support that and take that forward.”

Cllr Rufus Gilbert said: “Likewise I am very pleased that SHDC has listened to the concerns to both the community of Kingsbridge and the elected members of Kingsbridge Town Council, and that only Areas 3 and 4 will be developed with affordable homes. Its a good outcome.”

Cllr John Tucker, leader of South Hams District Council, added: “For clarity, Area 3 you said developed with affordable housing, obviously that would be part of the development, but until the viability [assessment] is done, we won’t know what the outcome of that is.”

Cllr Hilary Bastone, Dartmouth’s district councillor, said: “I think its great that we have acknowledged the will of the people of Kingsbridge, however I do feel that there are some missed opportunities there for Kingsbridge.

“I feel Areas 3 and 4 is a good way forward. Its going to provide further housing for Kingsbridge and will provide affordable housing for the local youngsters, which I think is extremely important, but as I said there are some missed opportunities with not progressing the plan forward, but with the town council we could progress that at a later date.”

Cllr Simon Wright, deputy leader of SHDC, said that he thought one of the things to come out of the consultation was the lack of engagement with young people in the area.

He said: “We don’t seem to be engaging properly with the youngsters, and some of their comments were fantastic. We’ve really got to try, colleagues, to try and improve that youngster engagement.”

Cllr Chris Povey, mayor of Kingsbridge, said he thought it was “the right decision”. He said he appreciated that “a lot of work from the district council, members and officers” had gone into the masterplan proposal and that the town council felt they “had been listened to”.

He told district councillors: “We are open to working with you moving forward. Let’s work very closely together for the benefit of Kingsbridge.” He said that the town council wouldn’t want to see “development creep” but are aware that there are advantages to Kingsbridge having some “leisure and commercial” facilities.

Half of Kingsbridge Town Council, the town clerk and many members of the public attended the meeting in Follaton House on Thursday, October 19, which was standing room only.

Among them was Cllr Robin Griffin, who said after the meeting: “The most damaging element of up until now has been the lack of SHDC listening to local people, the local council and our esteemed district councillors, so this outcome is very positive for us all.”