Former landmark guest house en route to Torbay could become home for homeless families

A large former guest house passed by thousands of visitors over the years driving into Torbay could become a home for the homeless.

Harewood House, latterly an Airbnb property in Kingskerswell, could be turned into a seven-bedroom home for local homeless families.
It sits on the busy road through the village which used to be the main route between Torquay and Newton Abbot before the new A380 bypass was built.
The former guest house was available for rent through the Airbnb app up until September this year.
Now Teignbridge Council wants to use it to house local families in need of homes, but there have been a large number of objections. The council’s planning committee will decide on its future next week (November 18).
Objectors say allowing it to be used as a house of multiple occupation (HMO) would mean overcrowding, noise and nuisance. There is inadequate parking, they say, and neighbours would be overlooked.
An officers’ report to the meeting says the plan, in which the council would buy and manage the property, should be approved. The report says 17 people could be housed there.
The Newton Abbot and District Civic Society points out: “Conjecture, fear and social media seem to have already attracted the worst responses.”
One objector writes: “We wish to continue to live in a secure, clean and safe environment which suits our retirement. We object to the council’s ill-considered decision to expose us to an unexpected change in our standard of living in our quiet and undisturbed village.”
Another says: “We are shocked and disappointed that this change is being proposed and feel that no one in the council is looking out for the existing residents’ wellbeing.”
However, a supporter writes: “We feel this is one of your better planning decisions.”
If permitted, the property will be operated and managed by the council.
The report sums up: “The need to tackle homelessness and for the council to fulfil its duties on appropriate provision of temporary accommodation is a genuine material planning consideration that also weighs in favour of the proposal.
“On that basis, conditional approval is recommended.”