A vast expanse of abandoned land known as ‘Chernobyl-on-Sea’, situated on the grounds of a former gasworks, remains neglected and cluttered with debris for over a decade.
The owners of the prime location at Hollicombe, positioned along the coastal route between Paignton and Torquay, maintain their intention to develop the area once it is deemed viable. Despite the removal of the massive gas holders and the completion of a thorough cleanup operation to rid the site of hazardous chemicals from its previous industrial use a decade ago, it has since remained barren.
Although approval was granted for the construction of 185 residences on the property back in 2012, no construction has commenced. A spokesperson for the property owners, Vistry Homes, stated, “The project is actively being assessed, and any feasible development opportunity will be pursued promptly.”
Hollicombe is a crucial “brownfield” location earmarked for development in Torbay, where the demand for housing land has reached a critical level. The extensive three-acre area situated between Tarraway Road and Mead Road is currently littered with damaged fencing and other debris.
In response to local discontent, wooden barriers along the main road connecting Paignton to Torquay, facing Hollicombe Park entrance and the beach access path, were adorned with graffiti art by local artists in February 2023, as reported by DevonLive. Initial plans for the site were unveiled to the public in June 2007, when the gasworks had been inactive for nearly four decades. Despite efforts by residents to transform the area into a park, the proposal faced opposition.
Formerly operational Midas Homes proposed the development of 185 new dwellings, comprising one, two, and three-bedroom apartments, including 44 affordable units. The plans encountered over 500 objections primarily centered on increased traffic concerns, leading to the formation of the Hollicombe Action Group to challenge the development.
Council members were informed of the necessity for a “complete decontamination,” prompting one planning committee member to liken the site to Chernobyl-on-Sea, drawing parallels to the Ukrainian city where a nuclear disaster occurred in 1986.
In December 2010, council officers recommended the green light for the 185 residences and a public park, with the stipulation of erecting a large covering during excavation to prevent toxic dust emissions. However, the project was halted in April 2011 for an environmental impact assessment by the Government. Subsequent reassurances in 2012 indicated progress, assuring residents of safety from the removed toxic remnants, yet the area has since remained undeveloped. Maps display a road named Cudd Hill Road traversing the land, but the road infrastructure has not materialized.