New homes offer 'chance to grow' for care leavers

Young people who have left care have been given permission to live in former holiday flats in Paignton.

Torbay Council has agreed that YMCA Exeter can offer care leavers homes in nine Holly-Lets flatlets in Sands Roads, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

The proposal was rejected in October by the council's planning committee because it decided the block of self-catering apartments still had a role to play in the bay's tourist trade.

The YMCA argued the building had been used as nine homes since at least 1996. The council agreed and granted the charity a certificate of lawfulness to use the building.

Gareth Sorsby, YMCA Exeter's joint chief executive, said there was an "urgent need for move-on accommodation in Torbay".

"These homes, with wrap-around services, will give each of these young people a chance to grow and thrive," he said.

At the October meeting the charity had also asked for permission to use the Seacroft Guest House on Sands Road, next door to the block of flatlets.

Councillors agreed the project was "worthwhile" but said Sands Road was the wrong site so refused the plan.

Mr Sorsby said the charity would try again to make use of the Seacroft building.

Follow BBC Devon on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected].