A BISHOPSTEIGNTON resident (name and address supplied), writes:

I attended a CCG (Clinical Commissioning Group) organised session at Bitton House on Tuesday, May 15, as advertised, to find out more about the proposed co- located surgery building in Teignmouth. I spoke at length with a member of the Estates Department, South Devon Trust – Simon Allen, who have been tasked to find the best and most suitable site according to a criteria of needs.

He informed me that after careful scoring, two possible sites had been identified as to where this great new facility could be built. Firstly, the existing hospital site which the NHS Communications branch sadly linked to a closure of the hospital (I guess an unintended statement at this stage) and on the site known as Eastcliff car park.

Most of the public including myself were aghast with the idea of losing a valuable car park in Teignmouth when parking in the town is probably the most important asset we have too little of. Lots of us were also asking about why not utilise the predominantly derelict site at Brunswick Street, which would improve an eyesore, provide a facility on the flat in the centre of town with existing public transport connections and only a relative short distance from the three existing surgeries.

I was informed by the individual that it was rejected for not being large enough and somebody raised concerns about it being in a flood plain.

I rang Teignbridge District Council that afternoon and spoke with Donna Best of their sales and property team. She informed me that the trust seem to be under the impression the site was made up of two parcels of land, when in fact it consists of three parcels (a derelict garage, small car park and wasteland) and is 0.36 hectares in size with opportunity to build up to four storeys. The only flood issue would be that any development would stop people sleeping on the ground floor.

In addition, I raised the opportunity for TDC to apply a ‘Section 106 gain’ to provide additional car parking nearby e.g. Quay car park with a raised level. It transpires that TDC already hold £400k to improve parking from a previous gain, to go in the pot.

The combined site is currently up for sale/lease on their website and can be viewed on 

I also enquired about the Eastcliff car park and if was correct that it was being offered for sale and therefore an option for you. She began to laugh and explain that at no time was the car park up for sale and never would be.

I have also spoken to a number of Teignmouth town councillors and district councillors who saw removing a main car park as a ridiculous idea.

In the hope I could gain support from the South Devon Trust for Brunswick Street I contacted Lesley Darke the head of estates on three occasions to clarify why the Brunswick Street site was not in the options, why it had been rejected and why the car park at Eastcliff was being mentioned when it would never come up for sale. Although never actually answering my questions I have now been given an assurance the trust is meeting with Teignbridge District Council to revisit it as an option. I have also been politely asked not to keep emailing them to seek information.

I hope common sense will prevail in what I perceive to be a contrived engagement on behalf of the NHS, in not properly researching the options and publishing false information.

Can I suggest the trust and CCG reconsider their publicity on the Eastcliff car park as a viable option and that they look seriously at Brunswick Street as the most effective site and act quickly before it gets sold to a developer for houses and flats.

Can I state my full support for the new building for our GPs wherever it goes and hope we get the right outcome with the facilities we all want.