There has been a longstanding desire to reinvigorate the centre of Newton Abbot in Devon, preserving its 800+ year history as a vibrant market town while evolving to meet changing shopping habits, creating a modern space where people choose to shop, eat and explore.

This aspiration became feasible when in Spring 2019 we were awarded Future High Streets funding (FHSF) from the Government. As identified in the project’s business plan, this multi-million-pound investment would realise a wider economic benefit to the town, boost property values and create new jobs.

The town centre plays an important role in providing key services and facilities for local residents, visitors, and those living in the wider area. The Future High Streets funding, along with funding from the Active Travel Network, will allow us to boost footfall and spending in the town, supporting local businesses; and enhance sustainable travel options with safer walking and cycling routes, and improved connections to bus and train provisions.

These enhancements are part of the wider  Newton Abbot & Kingsteignton Garden Community  programme, which aims to revitalise the area and shape significant developments and facilities for local communities; creating a healthier, happier and greener future.

This major development will revitalise the centre of Newton Abbot, helping to transform the town into a welcoming and vibrant place to visit with a central, flexible mixed-use space for community, artistic and cultural activities, alongside a revitalised market, food hall and Market Square.

Proposals have evolved since 2019 with Councillor votes on key decisions below:

•  November 2022 : Extraordinary council meeting - Councillors agreed to remove the Alexandra Cinema building from the FHSF regeneration plans. This meant that the wall between the market hall and the cinema is being retained; a smaller entertainment space will be created within the Market Hall; and, greater retail diversity will be pursued, including introduction of a food court.
•  January 2024:  Councillors voted to remove the new build cinema from the FHSF proposals.
• April 2024: Engagement with traders and tenants.
• April 2024: Public exhibition displaying updated proposals.
• June 2024: Engagement with traders and tenants.
• Late Summer/Early Autumn 2024: Trader relocation to temporary Market Hall (former Post Office, Market Square).

Scott Cinemas are the longstanding leaseholders of the Alexandra Cinema building and we are pleased that they are continuing their cinema operations within Newton Abbot.

The Grade ll listed building has however been classed by the Council as an Asset of Community Value and should the building become vacant at some point in the future, time will be allowed for community or voluntary sector groups to bid for it.

Works are underway and due to be completed in November 2024 to make Queen Street a safer, more attractive, healthier and greener place for visitors and businesses.

Enhancements include a major resurfacing programme for the roads and pavements to replace tired and damaged surfaces, as well as:

• the widening of pavements and improved crossings for pedestrians;
• lower speed limit to benefit all road users; and,
• the planting of trees, other greenery and additional public seating to create a more enjoyable visitor experience.

Disruption will be minimised and there will be ongoing communication with stakeholders, including in-person with businesses on Queen Street. Queen Street will remain open for business. Please see the project webpage for detailed project information and contact details for any queries or comments:  Queen Street (Newton Abbot) Enhancement Scheme - Roads and transport (devon.gov.uk) 

Summer 2020: Public consultation to shape the early design proposals and a  summary of the feedback was published .

Summer 2022: Devon County Council encouraged local people to  comment on proposals  of more detailed design plans, to make Queen Street a more attractive, safe and healthy place for visitors and businesses. 

Consultation proposals included giving shoppers more space to access shops and services by widening pavements; improving crossings; more planting and public seating; and introducing a 20mph speed limit between The Avenue and Courtenay Street. The proposals would be achieved by localised parking reduction and traffic movement changes.

A consultation report prepared by Devon County Council’s transportation planning team showed mixed responses to the proposals but with good support for public realm and pedestrian uplift elements. There was lower support for parking and traffic movement changes that are necessary to achieve most of the uplift elements.  View consultation report. 

Three Traffic Regulation Orders were subsequently produced as the first step to implementing the proposed improvements. Residents and businesses were able to comment on these  Orders in autumn 2022 . 

In light of the feedback, extensive discussions took place with key local stakeholders and  HATOC  subsequently approved the implementation of the Orders on 1 June 2023. Appendix 3 of the report includes the responses made to the consultation and Devon County Council’s responses to these.

July 2023: Devon County Council’s Cabinet approved the final scheme proposals and budget (this also includes additional funding that Devon County Council secured from the government’s Active Travel Fund programme). The final Queen Street scheme proposals have been reached via multiple changes to reflect feedback throughout the various consultation processes, including those set out below:

• The retention of more parking spaces than previously proposed, particularly at the eastern end of the 1-way stretch of Queen Street.
• Further blue badge holder parking.
• The inclusion of a formal pedestrian crossing just west of the War Memorial.
• Raised tables at side roads along Queen Street for ease of pedestrian movement (in particular to support pedestrians with reduced mobility).
• The specific locations for tree planting having been identified.
• Additional loading bay provision.

November 2023:  An updated leaflet  was produced to provide clear and concise information about the Queen Street scheme, including a summary of the key changes with an overview map, the rationale for the scheme, key consultation feedback figures, and an image showing a species option for the urban tree planting.

May 2024: Works began and are expected to be completed in November 2024. Once delivered, there will be monitoring of the scheme to evaluate outputs.

This project focuses on improving the quality of the NCN2 cycling and walking route in the central area of Newton Abbot that connects into wider leisure and commuting active travel routes. The improvements include better provision for safety at junctions, greater legibility for the route so it’s clearer and easier for users to navigate, widening and protection of the cycle lane through Cricketfield car park. The project has been shaped by local input from the Teignbridge Cycle Forum, and also via a public consultation in summer 2020.

The works began in late April 2024 and are now completed.

The town centre enhancements are part of the  Newton Abbot & Kingsteignton Garden Community  programme, which aims to revitalise neighbourhoods and shape significant developments and facilities for local communities. It is about responding to local requirements - preserving what is great about an area, such as it's culture, heritage and surroundings; while achieving health, economic and environmental goals identified by the local community.

The Garden Communities programme can benefit the local community in many ways, including:

community infrastructure such as schools, leisure facilities, community and health centres;

homes (including affordable and self-build);

• job creation;
• communities connected by green space;
• public realm areas;
• enhanced biodiversity;
• improved bus and vehicle links;
• better prioritised provision for walkers and cyclists; and
• long-term stewardship of community assets.

For more information on other Garden Community projects currently underway, please click on the following links:

•  Connecting to Nature 
•  Local Cycling & Walking Infrastructure Plan 
•  Local Plan Review 
•  Houghton Barton 
•  Wolborough