Temporary preventative works on Paignton Green have started to secure the space ahead of the busy summer season.
The initial phase of works will include the installation of bollards, gates and boulders on Paignton's North Green. The second phase of works will see similar measures being put in place around the Middle and South Green.
The decision by us to install protective measures comes ahead of a packed season of events taking place on Paignton Green.
The green is home to several large events such as the English Riviera Airshow and Children’s Week, both which make welcome returns this summer following the lifting of all COVID-19 restrictions.
The temporary structures, funded by a one-off £70,000 budget allocated following savings made in our 2020/21 budget, have been designed to help prevent and deter access and protect the site from unauthorised encampments, whilst supporting the delivery of events. The measures, co-designed with the Paignton Town Centre Community Partnership are expected to be in place until a new sea defence solution is identified as part of the ongoing works to develop a Paignton and Preston seafront Masterplan.
The majority of the first phase of works, due to be completed by Easter, are being carried out by SWISCo, and sub-contractors on behalf of us.
Each year Paignton experiences problems with unauthorised access and encampments on the popular seafront location, which is not only costly for us to manage but causes disruption to local businesses and organisers of events.
We are currently exploring a more permanent solution for supporting the travelling community. The second phase of engagement for the Masterplan is due to start this month and will run throughout April and May.
In 2021 preventative measures were put in place to secure various sites around Torbay from unauthorised access. Locations such as Whiterock, Broadsands, Clennon Valley and Centenary Way at the Willows benefitted from measures such as gate repairs and new concrete bollards.
Cllr Christine Carter, Cabinet Member for Corporate and Community Services for Torbay Council, said; “These preventative measures will mean that we can avoid any potential disruption to Paignton Green during a busy summer event season.
“We do recognise that other public spaces around Torbay are used for unauthorised encampments, and we are working on establishing longer-term solutions that not only support the travelling community but also recognise the needs of the local community.
“The Council will continue to respond to unauthorised encampments on its land in accordance with the law.”
Louise Gilson, Chair of Paignton Town Centre Community Partnership, said; “We are passionate about ensuring Paignton is an attractive place for residents, local business owners and visitors. Being involved in co-designing these temporary measures means we’re able to demonstrate that issues that matter to the community are being heard and addressed. We’re looking forward to a busy summer of events that really bring Paignton to life.”
Learn more about the Paignton and Preston Seafront Masterplan.
For more information on how we deal with misuse of public spaces and unauthorised encampments see our ASB, environment and nuisance webpages.
News archive
- October 2024 (21)
- September 2024 (17)
- August 2024 (7)
- July 2024 (24)
- June 2024 (8)
- May 2024 (25)
- April 2024 (19)
- March 2024 (17)
- February 2024 (16)
- January 2024 (14)
- December 2023 (14)
- November 2023 (30)
- October 2023 (21)
- September 2023 (22)
- August 2023 (18)
- July 2023 (17)
- June 2023 (14)
- May 2023 (11)
- April 2023 (9)
- March 2023 (36)
- February 2023 (22)
- January 2023 (26)
- December 2022 (18)
- November 2022 (24)
- October 2022 (18)
- September 2022 (13)
- August 2022 (15)
- July 2022 (22)
- June 2022 (14)
- May 2022 (35)
- April 2022 (23)
- March 2022 (32)
- February 2022 (18)
- January 2022 (14)
- December 2021 (22)
- November 2021 (22)
- October 2021 (25)
- September 2021 (23)
- August 2021 (18)
- July 2021 (26)
- June 2021 (24)
- May 2021 (21)
- April 2021 (21)
- March 2021 (33)
- February 2021 (30)
- January 2021 (27)
- December 2020 (24)
- November 2020 (37)
- October 2020 (29)
- September 2020 (27)
- August 2020 (22)
- July 2020 (37)
- June 2020 (38)
- May 2020 (39)
- April 2020 (36)
- March 2020 (22)
- February 2020 (10)
- January 2020 (18)
- December 2019 (7)
- November 2019 (11)
- October 2019 (15)
- September 2019 (16)
- August 2019 (8)
- July 2019 (9)
- June 2019 (7)
- May 2019 (16)
- April 2019 (11)
- March 2019 (11)
- February 2019 (7)
- January 2019 (11)
- December 2018 (11)
- November 2018 (14)
- October 2018 (14)
- September 2018 (9)
- August 2018 (7)
- July 2018 (19)
- June 2018 (21)
- May 2018 (7)
- April 2018 (10)
- March 2018 (35)
- February 2018 (9)
- January 2018 (15)
- December 2017 (9)
- November 2017 (17)
- October 2017 (11)
- September 2017 (6)
- August 2017 (7)
- July 2017 (13)
- June 2017 (22)
- May 2017 (16)
- April 2017 (8)
- March 2017 (9)
- February 2017 (9)
- January 2017 (4)
- December 2016 (10)
- November 2016 (11)
- October 2016 (14)
- September 2016 (9)
- August 2016 (10)
- July 2016 (11)
- June 2016 (4)
- May 2016 (20)
- April 2016 (14)
- March 2016 (18)
- February 2016 (8)
- January 2016 (15)
- December 2015 (13)
- November 2015 (19)
- October 2015 (17)
- September 2015 (8)
- August 2015 (6)
- July 2015 (19)
- June 2015 (11)
- May 2015 (20)
- April 2015 (14)
- March 2015 (15)
- February 2015 (13)
- January 2015 (17)
- December 2014 (17)
- November 2014 (18)
- October 2014 (14)
- September 2014 (17)
- August 2014 (16)
- July 2014 (10)
- June 2014 (8)
- May 2014 (1)
- February 2014 (1)
- January 0001 (1)