Paignton's crime-hit house to be demolished
Plans for 3 Keysfield Road to be redeveloped was approved by Torbay Council’s planning committee earlier this week
Last updated 26th Jul 2023
Knocking down a crime-hit house near Paignton seafront which was once the scene of a murder will be the final piece of a jigsaw which has been bothering neighbours for years, councillors have heard.
A plan for an old Victorian villa at 3 Keysfield Road to be redeveloped as 14 new apartments was approved by Torbay Council’s planning committee on Monday.
Permission for the development was given in January, but now details on landscaping, trees and bat boxes have been rubber-stamped.
The old villa became notorious when it was used as a house in multiple occupation. It had attracted anti-social behaviour for several years and was the scene of a murder in 2000. It was damaged in a fire, and police issued a closure order in 2010 following complaints from neighbours about the behaviour of residents, including drug-taking and prostitution.
Cllr Barbara Lewis (Con, Preston) said: “This has been a long time coming. Hopefully this will be the final piece in the jigsaw.
“The residents of Keysfield Road have put up with enough. We just need the completion of this site.”
The building is a large detached Victorian villa dating from 1870, which is now in poor repair. Applicant Keysfield Limited will retain mature trees on the boundaries of the plot and retain or create lawns. New trees and shrubs will be planted and nesting boxes and bricks will be provided for bats and swifts.