�2.5million Ottery town-centre development plans revealed

MAJOR plans to transform an unused piece of Ottery s town-centre into a �2.5 million development have been revealed.

MAJOR plans to transform an unused piece of Ottery's town-centre into a �2.5 million development have been revealed.

Land-owners want to turn an acre of land in the grounds of the Marist Convent in Broad Street into a "mixed residential and commercial development" of four townhouses, eight apartments and a street-facing shop and office.

If the plans are given the go-ahead it would signify a remarkable turnaround for the formerly abandoned site.

Ottery town council bought the Old Convent building in the grounds last year and will be joined in the premises by the neighbourhood policing team this summer.

Another building in the grounds, known as 'the stables', is in the process of being snapped up by a secret commercial business- who the Herald was told "will definitely be of benefit to the community."

Developer Sea Valley Property Ltd, which owns the remainder of land, has been told that its proposed new properties will be worth a total of around �2.5 million- with three-bedroom townhouses valued at �250,000 a piece. Two bedroom apartments could fetch as much as �170,000.

Estate agent Nick Hall said a development of the "land-locked" site would be "absolutely brilliant" for Ottery.

He said: "There are no modern apartments or town-houses in Ottery town centre.

"Ottery as a whole has no apartments near the town- at the moment people bypass here and go to Sidmouth because they have them. These will be great, especially for the older generation.

"Town houses are a popular, larger form of accommodation- suitable for families. Also there will be a shop in an excellent location.

"The Convent site has never really been used and not been of any benefit to local people recently- no one ever went in there- but now with the council and police, this is a really good idea."

A Sea Valley Property spokesman said: "This site in the middle of Ottery- an area which requires extra housing. The land is difficult geography to build on, it has steep slopes, but this will be of benefit as it will leave the area with a lot of open ground space."

Ottery town council planning committee members will discuss the plans over their potential new neighbours later this month before they go before East Devon District Council for a final decision.

Residents have until May 4 to comment on the proposals.