News courtesy of Kevin Foster
(MP for Torbay)
Pavilion Planning Application
As reported previously on this site, Torbay Council has this week received a revised and a new planning application for development of the Torquay Pavilion.
The plans, submitted by Nicolas James Group and Marina Developments Limited (MDL), are in relation to the regeneration of the Torquay Harbourside and the restoration of the Pavilion.
Over 1,000 consultation letters to local residents will be issued by Torbay Council. The results of this consultation will then be considered by the Development Management Committee alongside the applications.
Compared to the earlier proposal the latest application proposes two blocks of 10 and six storeys, reduces the number of flats from 45-43 and replaces a double height restaurant unit with a single storey one, but includes a roof level bar. The existing application, which was submitted in June last year, has been revised to include a taller tower element than the new application.
If you want to comment on the applications or take a look at the plans for yourself, you can find links to all the relevant details from a specific page on the Council website. Just click here to be taken to it.
Winter Car Park Charges Announced
Torbay Council will be introducing winter parking charges, starting from Monday 2 November 2015.
The changes will remain the same as last year with residents and visitors able to park for up to four hours for £2 or up to 24 hours for £3. These rates will apply in all Torbay Council operated car parks across the Bay. (Check when parking, as some are privately owned car parks)
A number of car parks will also be providing a 50p car parking charge for 30 minutes. These are as follows:
Brixham – Brixham Central
Paignton – Broadsands, Great Western, Roundham, Victoria, and Youngs Park
Torquay – Abbey Park, Brunswick Square, Chilcote Close, Hampton Avenue, Harbour, Lower Union Lane Shoppers, Meadfoot Road, Princes Street, St Marychurch, Town Hall, and Union Square
Reduced winter charges will also apply to on street parking.
One of the aims of this winter promotion is to support Christmas shopping in all the three towns and the winter parking charges will run throughout the festive period and into the New Year. For more information on local parking schemes click here.
Poppy Appeal Launched
The Poppy Appeal was launched this week by the Royal British Legion.
The Annual Appeal supports the range of work the Royal British Legion does, supporting those who have served, whilst remembering the immense sacrifice of those who fell in the service of our country.
If you want to support the Poppy Appeal it is easy to do so. Just click here to be taken to the dedicated website.
Great Western
Last Tuesday saw the Great Western Railway’s event at the House of Commons, hosted by Gary Streeter MP.
The main focus of the event was for the company to promote its new (or old depending on how you see it) brand for the railway and discuss their plans. I had been questioning the Chief Executive of Network Rail about the latest costs estimates for electrifying parts of the Great Western Network the day before so this was a handy chance to catch up on some other issues.
When asked by one of their senior managers what might encourage more people in the bay to use the train for long journeys the issue of poorly timed connections at Newton Abbot was quoted; the worst example being the last train to Paignton leaving about 7 minutes before the 20:35 departure from Paddington (last seated service of the day) arrives at Newton Abbot.
GWR would look into it and see if this could be changed.
Mayoral Referendum
The vote could not have been closer amongst Councillors on Thursday night with the Chairman’s casting vote deciding which alternative system of governance will be on offer to voters next year.
Councillors split 17/17 between the Committee System and a Leader (elected by councillors) with a Cabinet, as the alternative to the current Mayoral system for the Referendum due in May next year. When votes are tied the Council Chairman, the Civic Lead, gets a second vote to break the deadlock.
Now the question is settled the debate can really start and you may have strong views in either direction. The key is everyone will have one vote to decide the future of local government in the bay.
No doubt there will be campaigns springing up to persuade voters how to vote, but these updates will remain neutral and let you know how to get hold of information from both sides.
Torbay Airshow
A spectacular Torbay Airshow will take place on Friday 10, Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 June 2016 at Paignton Green.
Activities at this FREE event will run from Friday, 2pm to 10pm, Saturday 10am to 10pm, and Sunday 10am to 6pm. It is estimated that 150,000 visitors will attend the event over the weekend. Land based activities will include a large event village on Paignton Green with entertainment, fair rides, bars and catering.
The Government’s Coastal Communities Fund has provided a start-up grant to part fund the cost of the airshow, with the Mayor and his Executive having worked to bring this to fruition.. Other income is being generated from sponsorship and exhibitor space, You can find out more on the dedicated website by clicking here.
This will be a great boost for the summer season in Paignton next year.
Stoodley School Sale
Earlier this year Stoodley Knowle School closed after decades of educating local girls.
Whilst a debate about the future use of the site will attract much interest, the contents of the school are now being sold. After so many years a range of items will be on sale, with many of the schools trophies being auctioned off. Amidst the range of items you might expect to be in such a sale is a more bizzare offering, a whale bone that once belonged to Ernest Shackleton.
The auction of these items will take place at 10:30am on Saturday 14th November at Chilcotts Silver Street Sale Room adjacent to Honiton Community College.
TRTBID – Use Your Vote
Ballot papers have been issued to around 1,500 business in the across the bay in the Tourism and Retail sector that have a rateable value of £7,500 of more for them to decide on the proposed TRTBID.
All eligible business (Those who will be required to pay the levy if enacted) have the chance to vote via the postal ballot and papers must be returned no later than 5pm on November 11. For the BID to go ahead more than 50 per cent of the businesses vote must vote in favour and the ‘yes’ votes must represent more than 50 per cent of the total rateable value of all votes cast. You can find more information about the TRTBID plans on their dedicated website by clicking here.
In many BID ballots there can be a low turnout, so if you have received a ballot paper do use it. If not others will decide for you.
Events
Mon 26th – Fri 30th Oct: Cockington Halloween Festival. Free trail around the Court.
Tues 27th Oct: 2pm, Paignton Library. ‘The Book Crasher’ performance. Adults £3 Child £2 Tickets from Doorstep Theatre
Wed 28th Oct: 2pm. Torquay Library. ‘The Book Crasher’ performance. Adults £3 Child £2. Tickets from Doorstep Theatre
Thurs 29th Oct: 7pm, Palace Theatre, Paignton, Crossing the Threshold Tickets £5 Tickets from Doorstep Theatre
Thurs 29th Oct: 2pm, Torquay Library. Interactive storytelling workshop of ‘A Little Man’s Holiday’, payment by donation.
Fri 30th Oct: A festival day celebrating outstanding theatre in the South West at the Palace Theatre, Paignton. Tickets from £5-£15. For more info contact Doorstep Theatre.
Fri 30th Oct & Sat 31st Oct: Watch out for Isabella Necessity cycling around Torbay telling her stories. Friday she’ll be in Paignton Town Centre and Saturday in Torquay Town Centre.
Sat 31st – Sun 1st Nov: Visit the Optimus ‘Halloween Horror Convention’ at Cockington Court including the Back to the Future car! Full details here. Adults £5, Child £3, Family £13. Under 5’s free.
Sat 31st Oct: Last Night of the Proms – featuring Torbay Brass Band and soloist Victoria Norton, Salvation Army, Market Street, Torquay. Tickets £5 available from the Foyer of the Salvation Army on Wed, Thurs and Fri morning or call 07901 647927
