As usual I went out for a walk this afternoon. When I got to Princess Gardens I came across this small group trying to obtain signatures on a petition. They are upset about proposed development due to take place soon that will involve building a 5 story hotel right next to the harbour where a car park presently stands. The group that wants to build the hotel, reported to be 4 star and 5 floors high, also want to build shops, cafes and other attractions on the Princess Gardens. The Princess Gardens are a nice, open green space with a sea view out towards Paignton and Brixham. We don't have all that many parks here in Torquay. The shops, cafes and other attractions would reduce the size of the gardens and wipe out the sea view. The problem is part of the harbour has been fenced off for years as it is unsafe and the people who want to build the hotel have offered to help with the cost of repairs to the harbour. They have also offered to help with the restoration of the Victorian Pavilion which needs millions spending on it. The total bill for all this restoration work is about £10 million so it isn't really surprising that Torbay council are anxious to do a deal even though it means the end result will be the loss of the veiw.
I did obtain a web address so I could put a link to this groups site and it is communitycooperative.org. The group will be down in Princess Gardens next Saturday if you want to sign the petition or just have a chat. Also next Saturday is the Grand openning of Rock Walk so there will be lots of people down there.
7 comments:
When I first tried the link a few hours ago it took me to Seattle in the USA but now it seems to be working.
When I first tried the link a few hours ago it took me to Seattle in the USA but now it seems to be working.
http://www.communitycooperative.org/Community_Cooperative/Enter.html
Hi, thanks Bus Driver for the plug for our petition pasteboard. We're getting a lot of support from local people and visitors who like us don't want the development robbing us of a public space with beautiful sea views. We think this will only drive visitors away from the bay, not attract them. Try searching the above web-address in your browser. All best!
While I understand the stance against the Proposed the new Development We urgenly need a Modern Hotel in the Bay.
Even more than that we need Millions maybe Billions of Pounds spent on various Developments in the Bay to tidy up the Derelict state of some area. (e.g. all those boarded up vandalised Properties in various parts of Torquay, Paignton and reportedly Brixham.
The Authority appear not to have the Finance to enforce the Landlords so doing conditional Deals including high standards of Construction, Design and Landscaping with willing, Caring Development Partners seems to be the only way forward.
Let us at least be positive and forward thinking in these difficult times and NOT forever negative.
Thanks for posting the link. I am not in Torquay at the moment but as a ratepayer want to make sure that my views on this proposed development are heard. Princess Gardens are lovely and popular with residents and visitors alike. This proposed development must be stopped!
Good work keep it up.
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