Future plans 'still not agreed' as much-loved pitch and putt prepares to closed
The council says it will be consulting as it looks to develop the events offering at Torre Abbey meadows and protect the Spanish Barn from wayward golf balls
Last updated 22nd Oct 2024
More than 1,300 people have now called for a re-think of the forced closure of Torquay's seafront pitch and putt course.
It's due to shut by the end of the month, as the council says wayward golf balls are damaging the nearby listed Spanish Barn.
Margaret Forbes-Hamilton is chair of the Torre and Upton community partnership, who says: "Who has discussed this with the hoteliers, nobody, they are really upset."
She says customers have expressed frustration about the loss of the tourist attraction, which she says is well used by some guests and part of the reason they stay, adding: "I think, unfortunately for Torbay Council once it closes that groundswell is going to get bigger."
The campaigner believes there's still time to pause the plans and have a public consultation about what will replace the pitch and putt and how best to protect the scheduled ancient monument site.
In 2022 the council showed us the damage being caused to the Spanish Barn by golf balls
Torbay Councillor Jackie Thomas says the changes will make better use of the space, adding: "I think we are really not removing an attraction, as far as giving this back to the community.
"We are going to create that community event space and invite more events in."
When asked if there is still time to pause the current closure plans, a spokesperson for Torbay Council confirmed: "The land will be taken back into Torre Abbey’s management on 1 November 2024 as scheduled.
"This decision follows careful consideration by the council, looking at how the Pitch and Putt land can be repurposed and returned to community use; how the entire site can be better managed to protect its scheduled monument status; how restoration projects can move forward in line with legal obligations and funding requirements; and how income generation opportunities can be maximised to support a financially sustainable future for Torre Abbey."
When asked what exactly will replace the pitch and putt site, the council spokesperson said: "There is not a published plan for what will replace the course. Our intention is to work with the public to inform the future of the site in accordance with the heritage value present. We do not have a date for the consultation but will advise the public and local stakeholders once the consultation is scheduled."
In response to concerns from hotels about the loss of the attraction, the council said: "The priority for the site is to conserve and enhance Torre Abbey, a scheduled monument with significant heritage value at the national scale. Local hoteliers, stakeholders and the public will be consulted as outlined to inform future plans. We recognise that Torre Abbey and the surrounding land are significant tourist attractions for the Bay. Future plans will clearly prioritise increasing  visitor numbers through enhanced, accessible, public space in keeping with the heritage status of Torre Abbey."
The council said it was not able, at this stage, to confirm the costs of removing the pitch and putt whilst ensuring there was no damage to the 17.8-acre site of Torre Abbey, which is a Scheduled Monument (the highest designation available in this country and is the same designation as held by Stonehenge). It is home to the best-preserved Monastic Ruins in Devon and Cornwall, much of which is below ground archaeology.
In late 2023 /early 2024, the Overview and Scrutiny Board carried out a review of Events, Culture and Tourism which was presented to Cabinet on 19 March 2024.
The council spokesperson added: "One of the recommendations asked the Council to consider whether the Torre Abbey Pitch and Putt contract remains the most appropriate use of the space to meet the Council’s cultural and heritage objectives, especially in light of the ongoing damage and annual repair costs to the roof of the Spanish Barn; how the risk of damage to the Spanish Barn can be reduced in future and explore alternative uses for the area, maximising the archaeological history of the site.
"The recommendation has been carefully considered by the Council, looking at how the Pitch and Putt land can be repurposed and returned to community use; how the entire site can be better managed to protect its scheduled monument status; how restoration projects can move forward in line with legal obligations and funding requirements; how income generation opportunities can be maximised to support a financially sustainable future for Torre Abbey.
"Taking all things into consideration, the decision has been made to terminate the current tenancy, with the land being taken back into Torre Abbey’s management from 1 November 2024.
"In the summer of 2023, work started on the third phase of Torre Abbey’s restoration programme. Vital conversation and repair work to the south west and east ranges of the main mansion, the C14th Mohun Gatehouse, Courtyard 4 including its tower, and the north end of the Chapel are almost completed. During these works, exciting artefacts and archaeological remains have been uncovered, including the original cobblestone path.
"The next phase of Torre Abbey’s restoration programme which has already received early interest from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, will look at returning the land from the Abbey to the seafront, back to community use.
"The community will have the opportunity to engage with the project team to help shape how the space can be used to continue to tell Torre Abbey’s story, as well as potentially offering space for sustainable planting, green sports infrastructure, play and events in the future. Further information on ways to get involved will be available later in the year.”