SEVERAL disused hospital buildings at Langdon Hospital in Dawlish could soon be demolished under plans submitted by an NHS trust.

Devon Partnership NHS Trust has applied to Teignbridge Council to determine whether prior approval is required for the demolition of four buildings – Tamar, Exe, Torridge and Teign.

The buildings are no longer used for healthcare and have been empty and derelict for some time, according to the Trust.

If approved, a specialist contractor would be appointed to carry out the demolition.

The existing ground-floor slabs would remain in place, while the rest of the buildings and associated features would be removed.

The application, reference 26/01313/DEM, has been submitted under permitted development rules.

Certain types of development are allowed under national legislation without a full planning application, although some schemes are subject to conditions requiring the local planning authority to decide whether prior approval is needed.

The Trust is seeking a decision from Teignbridge Council on whether those prior approval requirements apply to the proposed demolition.

Teignbridge Council is expected to make a decision on the application by September 21.