RESIDENTS campaigning to save a neglected historic building in Dawlish have given their backing to new plans for the site.

New owners of the decaying former vicarage in Weech Road have put forward plans to turn the derelict Grade II listed building into a group of homes.

Vicarage Residents Group has been been leading the fight to save the property from complete ruin.

But the latest plans put forward have been welcomed as a ‘genuinely positive’.

The vicarage has been empty for decades and had been the subject of an ongoing saga over its future with protracted issues over its ownership.

The site has been the subject of previous unsuccessful planning applications.

Chairman of the residents group Mary Nock said: ‘This is the best scheme we’ve seen by far.’

The long-neglected building has suffered decades of decline and has collapsed in parts.

It has been also been a magnet for youngsters despite being fenced off with warning signs.

The new proposals by Torquay-based JDTOV Management have been widely supported.

This plan is to restore and convert the existing building into six homes, and build one new home next door.

The roofs of the stone and cob buildings, the end section of the cob building and an internal wall section of the coach house will have to be knocked down because of their poor condition.

Listed building consent will be needed along with planning permission.

Mary said: ‘This building has sadly suffered decades of decline and neglect following multiple unsuccessful and unsuitable applications.

‘The result has been continued collapses and deterioration of a heritage asset that deserves far better.

‘Encouragingly, under new ownership for just over a year, a thoughtful and respectful scheme has been submitted which is fully supported by the.

‘Unlike previous schemes, this application demonstrates a clear understanding of the building's Grade II listed significance.’

She said the new application is ‘low-key, sensitive, and carefully designed to preserve the character of the vicarage while bringing it back into meaningful and sustainable future use’.

She added: ‘In our view, this is the most appropriate and well-considered scheme put forward to date.

‘Not only does it safeguard the future of a listed building, but it also has the potential to become a positive addition to the local community, restoring pride in a structure that has long been a source of concern.

‘With the right backing this could mark a turning point, transforming a deteriorating site into something that benefits both heritage and community alike.

‘I sincerely hope the council and Historic England recognise the merits of this proposal and move towards a swift and favourable determination.’

The vicarage is thought to date from the late 17th Century, and served as the vicarage house for Dawlish until 1938, when it was sold to the Great Western Railway.

In 1950, the building was converted to four flats for the staff of British Railways and additional offices were provided for Dawlish Station.

The final tenants left in early 2000s, and there have been a number of unsuccessful proposals for redevelopment since then.

Teignbridge Council is expected to make a decision by June.