A vast parcel of neglected land known as ‘Chernobyl-on-Sea’ due to its resemblance to the infamous disaster site remains abandoned with debris scattered across it. The area, situated in Hollicombe between Paignton and Torquay, was once home to gas holders that have since been removed, and a cleanup operation to rid the land of toxic remnants was finalized a decade ago. Despite this, the land has remained undeveloped.
Although approval was granted for the construction of 185 homes on the property back in 2012, no progress has been made. Vistry Homes, the current owners, have stated that development plans are continuously being reassessed, and they are committed to initiating any viable development as soon as circumstances permit.
Hollicombe stands out as a crucial “brownfield” development site in Torbay, where the demand for housing land has reached a critical level. The area, covering three acres, is currently cluttered with worn-out fence panels and assorted debris.
In response to public concern, wooden hoardings along the main road were adorned with graffiti by local artists in February 2023. The initial proposals for the site were unveiled to the public in 2007 when the gasworks had already been idle for nearly four decades. Despite efforts from locals to transform the area into a park, plans for 185 new homes, including affordable housing, were put forward by the now-defunct Midas Homes, sparking opposition due to traffic concerns.
A Hollicombe Action Group was formed to challenge the housing plans, with objections primarily centered around potential traffic congestion issues. Council members highlighted the necessity for a thorough decontamination process, leading to comparisons to Chernobyl due to the site’s history of toxic chemicals.
In December 2010, council officers recommended the go-ahead for the housing project alongside a public park. Subsequent environmental assessments delayed the project briefly, but by 2012, the development was deemed safe to proceed after successful removal of toxic substances under protective measures.
Despite receiving the green light, the site has remained vacant, and the proposed road within it, Cudd Hill Road, has never materialized, leaving the area untouched and unoccupied.
