Every fortnight Kevin writes a "Kev's Column" for the Herald Express and you can read the latest edition (Published on Wednesday 12th April 2023) below:
Paignton ASB
I have been contacted by several residents about distressing videos appearing on social media showing assaults, mostly on teenagers, which have taken place in Paignton.
By the end of last week, the Police confirmed they had already made 7 arrests, with further enquiries being undertaken to identify those involved or who may be engaging in wider anti-social behaviour. The use of a dispersal order in the Town Centre and on the Seafront over the weekend also helped break up groups by giving the Police further powers to deal with those causing problems. A wider Police operation is also now underway to disrupt the groups involved.
These incidents also emphasise the real-world impact of being able to post and access such videos online. The Online Harms Bill is currently before Parliament. It includes additional powers to deal with such material being posted on social media and make it easier to penalise platforms which do not tackle it. It needs to become law quickly.
Palace Hotel
When seeking planning permission for housing on the former Palace Hotel’s Tennis Courts site, the Fragrance Group stated it was an “enabling” development for their hotel plans, now they have done a U-turn.
Last week it was announced they are now looking to build a further 67 houses on the former hotel’s site. I understand Torbay Council may have been discussing this change to housing with the site's owners over recent months.
Residents will rightly want answers about when Torbay Council was approached, what position they took and what else they may be discussing privately in terms of proposals and developments on other unique sites in our bay. This includes Oldway Mansion and the Pavilion, where announcements of any long-term plans for them have been kicked until after the forthcoming local elections.
I appreciate the urgent need for more affordable housing, yet it only takes a walk-through Torquay Town Centre to see opportunities for development of new affordable homes on long derelict sites. These should be the priority before releasing a unique site like this for a lucrative housing development, without at least giving another hotel company a chance to take forward a development on it.
Torquay United
It was great to see the Gulls get three vital wins, including the “6 pointer” at Scunthorpe United and against Eastleigh on Good Friday.
I know fans have many questions about the club and where it may head next, with the Torquay United Supporters Trust and I having recently met to discuss them. But for now, the priority is to get behind the men’s team in their battle to avoid relegation and Torquay United Women as they go for promotion to the national league.
Surgery Times
My next surgeries are on: Saturday 15th April 11am till 1pm at Paignton Library, Great Western Rd, TQ4 5AG and Friday 21st April 10am till 12Noon at Torquay Library, Lymington Road, Torquay TQ1 3DT.
For an appointment you can either email me at [email protected] or leave a message on 01803 214989, surgeries are for personal queries from residents they would like me to help them with. There are also drop-in sessions from 10am till 1pm, Monday to Friday at 5-7 East St, Torquay, TQ2 5SD where a member of my team is available to assist residents with urgent queries.
