Under the plans, housing would be built on prime waterfront sites

The �70m-plus plan for Brixham includes a new fish market, a new northern arm for the harbour, and a new town square.

But controversy has arisen over proposals for housing at Oxen Cove and Freshwater Quarry, which are prime waterfront sites.

The meeting became very heated at times as residents commented on the plans.

Brixham 21, the community company put together to push forward the regeneration, was represented at the meeting.

As the meeting went on you could see more and more people were frightened at what might happen if they didn't go along with the plans Robbie Robinson, Brixham for Brixham

Director, Peter Bushell, accepted they had not yet won the argument on the planned housing.

"The meeting seemed to be split more or less down the middle on that," he said. "There were about 50% in favour of going ahead."

A group of housing protesters, "Brixham for Brixham", presented a 3,500-signature petition at the meeting.

It has made it clear the group has no objection to 80% of the proposals, and is only opposed to the housing plans which it feels will spoil the waterfront.

A third of the proposed properties are earmarked for affordable housing, but the group claims sky-high prices will only attract second-home owners and destroy a valuable tourism asset.

People 'frightened'

Speaking after the meeting, group founder Robbie Robinson said he felt the battle over the housing plans had been lost.

"Brixham for Brixham is just a small group, whereas Brixham 21 has the Torbay Development Agency behind it, the borough council behind it, the Regional Development Agency behind it.

"As the meeting went on you could see more and more people were frightened at what might happen if they didn't go along with the plans," he said.

New fishing fleet facilities and a residential youth training centre are planned on reclaimed waterfront ground at Oxen Cove, plus 800 underground parking spaces at Freshwater Cove with a marina offshore.