Development Threat to Totnes Steamer Quay

A while back the administration at South Hams District Council was heartened by plans produced by a firm of consultants called AECOM for a proposed development scheme at the Steamer Quay in Totnes.
AECOM was instructed to draw up development plans by the previous leadership of the Totnes Neighbourhood Plan Group. Astonishingly those leaders refused to disclose the AECOM Steamer Quay development plans paid for out of public funds and yet referred to it in a draft Neighbourhood Plan they had prepared.
John Birch, District Councillor for Totnes, managed to uncover a copy of the development plan at SHDC and as a result it was made public. The plan includes turning the caravan site, the scout hut and the boatyard into a coach and car park along with housing. Apartments and offices are proposed on the existing car park adjacent to the public conveniences. There is also housing proposed further down the quay towards the rowing club.
John Birch said "In consequence of the disclosure of the AECOM report, the Totnes Town Council, quite rightly in my opinion, replaced the leadership of the Neighbourhood Plan group and the new group rejected the Steamer Quay proposals."
However the development plans remain with the Conservative led administration at SHDC and recent actions would seem to indicate that it still has its eye on possible development.
The initial findings of a recent survey carried out by Liberal Democrat councillors throughout Totnes shows that residents are very much opposed to development at Steamer Quay.
The three Liberal Democrats candidates for Totnes in the forthcoming District Council election, John Birch, Emily Price and John Anderson, are opposed to the development scheme set out in the AECOM report and if elected will take steps to have the proposals scrapped once and for all.