THE demolition of a derelict site in Newton Abbot is well underway.

Contractors have begun work to demolish the mills site in Bradley Lane, with diggers and other excavation equipment on site Monday to Saturday.

Teignbridge District Council (TDC) have said that the demolition is ‘essential to release this key site for redevelopment and is a great opportunity for Newton Abbot to bring a former industrial site back into use’.

This is despite efforts to conserve the site, chiefly from Newton Abbot & District Civil Society.

Once demolished, the site, which has long been earmarked for housing, will be more attractive to a potential developer, the council say.

The work is expected to be finished by the end of March.