A new farm shop, boutique garden centre and café could be built off the A38 if the local authority approves a Devon businessman’s plans.

Paul Madicott, proprietor of Dainton Group Services Ltd, which operates a string of self-storage depots across the Westcountry, has submitted plans to Teignbridge District Council to transform the disused Rock Farm Nursery in Chudleigh into a farm shop and garden centre, with a cafe and a woodland play park. It could create about full-time and part-time 100 jobs.

The project, says the applicant, would support the local economy, create a valuable local asset, and would work with farmers to ensure the shop champions the best produce from around the South West.

Chudleigh has a fresh produce shop but no butcher, fishmonger or deli.

Last year Teignbridge planners gave the go-ahead for 229 new homes on the Rocklands site on the other side of the B3344 from the farm shop site.

The applicants say that they undertook a community survey last year, with 100 per cent of respondents expressing a likelihood to visit the proposed outlet, and 65 per cent stating they would be extremely likely.

The survey adds that 69 per cent of people had visited the popular Dart’s Farm food and drink outlet at Topsham in the last year, with this proposal seeking to capture that spend and convert it to a ‘Chudleigh Pound’.

The proposals include 113 car park spaces.

They added: “The proposal will be supporting the local supply chain and farmers in the area with another route to market for products. As a new attraction to the area, the proposal will increase footfall to the town through the offer of additional facilities.”