A banner has appeared on the fence outside the Old Vicarage, expressing the frustration of Weech Road residents who have to live near the derelict building.

They feel let down by Teignbridge District Council, which has repeatedly refused planning applications to redevelop the semi-ruined house, and Historic England which has also objected on the grounds that the vicarage is a Grade Two listed building.

The Old Vicarage Action Group, and Dawlish Town Council, have asked for the latest planning application to be put before Teignbridge District Council's planning committee, rather than decided by a planning officer, and it is

'currently the expectation' that this will happen, according to the district council.

The group has contacted district councillors today (Tuesday, November 17) quoting part of the National Planning Policy which sets out the circumstances in which the usual obligation to refuse the redevelopment of listed buildings can be waived.

What does the official planning policy say?

It says: "Where a proposed development will lead to substantial harm to (or total loss of significance of) a designated heritage asset, local planning authorities should refuse consent, unless it can be demonstrated that the substantial harm or total loss is necessary to achieve substantial public benefits that outweigh that harm or loss."

The policy also allows redevelopment if there can be no reasonable use for the heritage building, no chance of obtaining funding for conservation, and the harm or loss caused by redevelopment is outweighed by the benefit of bringing the site back into use.

The group believe this applies to the Old Vicarage, enabling the council to approve the application to repair it and bring it back into use as a single dwelling house.

Living near 'eyesore' is affecting residents' mental health

They say the district council has been failing in its responsibility to local taxpayers by allowing the Old Vicarage to deteriorate so badly that its condition is affecting the mental health of Weech Road residents, some of whom have lived there for the full 30 years of the building's decline.

In the action group's joint submission, they say: "We are very concerned that the TDC Planning department will again refuse a perfectly reasonable application and condemn the surrounding residents - whom we represent - to even more torrid and worsening? conditions living beside this ruined building."

Group member Dr Celia Timms said: "Yet another refusal of the planning application will mean that Teignbridge District Council and Historic England are content to allow this building to decay even further and remain a blight on Dawlish and the local environment for the foreseeable future."

Around 75 people have expressed their support for the application via the district council's website.

In a statement to Dawlish Nub News, Teignbridge District Council said: "The application is for a technical and complex matter and given the sparse information submitted in support, it is necessarily taking some time to understand its implications and assess the proposal.

"Once this work is completed a report will be taken to the planning committee."

A Historic England spokesperson said:

"The Old Vicarage is a Grade II listed building with elements surviving from the 17th and 19th centuries, which together tell the story of its long and varied history.

"We have been involved in conversations about the building for some time and appreciate that its deteriorating condition is a concern for people who live locally.

"We are committed to advising the council, and others, as they explore options for securing the building's long term future in a way that respects its special character whilst allowing it once again to contribute positively to Dawlish."

Local MP Anne Marie Morris said she sympathised with local residents, but did not think planning legislation had been breached.

She said: "I will however continue to monitor the situation with the expectation that a reasonable solution will be found for all in relation to this planning application."