NEWTON ABBOT NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN: VISION STATEMENT
Newton Abbot: The Town that delivers
Newton Abbot is an an ambitious town which positively embraces sustainable development and
change, whilst respecting the town’s significant historical roots and natural assets. Newton Abbot
should be a creative and distinctive town where residents are supported and welcomed into the
community. The future of the town should be founded on the principles of creativity, accessibility
and sustainability; seeking to ensure the highest possible standards in all forms of development.
COMMENTS MADE AT THE LAST STEERING GROUP MEETING REGARDING THE VISION
Group 1:
 Vision is relevant.
 Vision is reflected in local plan in policies for Newton Abbot.
 Objective to increase local food may not be realistic - have struggled to deliver this (but it
is still supported).
 Challenge of indoor market – in terms of use, environment, hours, requires investment.
 Environment within town centre requires improvement in some places.
 Need to change image of Newton Abbot
 Undercover facilities for large events, use indoor market in a different way.
 Image of town as a ‘stop off’ destination.
 Town needs traffic management.
 Don’t want Newton Abbot to become a dormitory town.
 Build waterfront properties (Ellesmere Port, Salford)
 Newton Abbot does have a good retail offer.
 Population of Newton Abbot is changing – those moving into new homes have higher
disposable incomes.
 Maximising opportunities for traders.
 Environment needs further improvement; although Town Council has, and is, making
improvements.
 Creating opportunities for a clean, healthy environment where people can exercise.
 Capitalizing on investments, such as UTC.
 Renewable energy opportunities – river.
 Build around features like the river.
 Improve links with surrounding parishes through cycleways/walkways, to make town
accessible to those residents and remove temptation of going elsewhere in the car.
 Town very accessible for those with walking difficulties.
 Decent facilities such as public toilets.
 Vision – more supportive town.
 Needs for young people – sport/activity provision.
 Ambitious children go away and don’t come back to town.
 Celebrate ‘The Newtonians’ – famous people connected with the town – e.g. first female
lawyer.
 Change perceptions of the town.
 Not ‘hip’ to be proud of Newton Abbot – why?? What can we do about it?
 Investment alongside housing delivery – need to maximize housing delivery.
 Why can’t Newton Abbot have its own university.
 Improving air quality is a key priority.
 Use vision to influence investment priorities
 What is the identity of the town? Victorian, railway, industrial?
 Golden Lion Square requires urgent improvement.
 Development of gateway sites, such as Forches Cross
 Mountain biking/BMX trails on claypits.
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Queen Street – full pedestrianisation is difficult, what are the pther solutions and
improvements?
Vision – reducing dominance of car.
Making town pedestrian friendly.
Greening through tree planting.
Very difficult to stop ‘off the shelf’ housing development.
Plans change during lifetime of a project.
Focus on open space/allotment provision Neighbourhood Plan.
Design standards in Neighbourhood Plan for housing developments – design details
finishes.
Housing development areas will be masterplanned.
Policies on distinctiveness of the town – but not too prescriptive.
Communities developed as inclusive communities – all ages, etc.
Group 2
Things the group like about the vision:
 Culture (timing)
 Leisure
 Food (pop ups)
 Markets providing fresh local produce with places to eat
 Self sustaining – education – ‘field to plate’
 Allotments
 Cooperatives
Things the group weren’t sure about:
 Evening economy
 ‘Environmental limits’
 ‘Open to considerable change’
 Should be proactive to change
Projects:
 Move war memorial
 Renewable energy – funding available, market roof, River Lemon
Missing from the Vision:
 Disabilities
 All groups
 Accessibility