New Torquay ‘vision’ will change resort for generations

‘Vision’ is back in vogue in Torbay, according to the man whose own glimpse of the future started a furore 20 years ago.

Cllr Nick Bye (Con, Wellswood) served as the bay’s elected Mayor from 2005 until 2011, and during that time created a ‘vision’ document for the bay proposing sweeping changes to areas from Torquay town centre to Paignton Harbour.
Some of his ideas have survived while others, including tall buildings around Paignton Harbour and a restaurant on Babbacombe Downs, did not prove popular at the time.
Now a new projection for the future of Torquay has been published, with versions for Paignton and Brixham to follow in the coming months.
“Vision is no longer a dirty word in Torbay!” declared Cllr Bye.
The document bustling residential areas where the ailing town centre is now, a restored Pavilion and homes in place of an under-used multi-storey car park.
The Torquay Town Centre Place Vision also acknowledges that the area around Castle Circus, plagued by anti-social behaviour, must be cleaned up.
Existing derelict shops could be converted into homes and Lower Union Lane, which is currently dominated by a multi-storey car park, has the potential for a residential development, according to the document, as does the nearby BT building.
The aim, says the report, is ‘gradually transforming the area from an ailing retail environment into a mixed-use residential neighbourhood’.
Funding would come from various government programmes.
The report says the main shopping area of the town should be concentrated in Fleet Street, ‘bookended’ by Primark at one end and Hoopers at the other. There could then be new homes between the GPO roundabout and Castle Circus.
Turning the Pavilion into an Agatha Christie-themed destination with the Torquay-born author’s archives on display has already been discussed, and the vision says it could have a similar role and status to the Tate Gallery in St Ives.
The seafront Cary Green would be included as a specified ‘green space’.
Deputy council leader Chris Lewis (Con, Preston) stressed that the ‘vision’ was a marketing tool rather than a planning document, and added: “It is something that shouldn’t be kept on the shelf. It is there to encourage investors and others who want to be part of a journey changing the face of Torquay.
“It will change Torquay for generations to come. It will change it for the better.”
However, opposition leader Cllr Swithin Long (Lib Dem, Barton with Watcombe) said there had not been enough consultation, and some areas of the town were missing from the ‘vision’ altogether.
“I fear that by leaving parts of Torquay out, the council is just abandoning certain areas,” he said.
Members of the cabinet agreed to support the vision unanimously.