Torquay golf course at risk as players damage historic building

Spanish Barn roof holed by wayward golf balls

Gormless golfers slicing balls on to the roof of one of Torbay’s most important historic buildings could be putting their rounds at risk.

A new report on the bay’s events, culture and tourism points to problems caused by wayward shots on the pitch and putt course in front of the historic Spanish Barn on Torquay seafront.

Some dozy drivers have even seen their shots punch holes in the precious barn roof.

Now councillors are being advised to think about whether a pitch and putt course is ‘the most appropriate use’ for the space.

The nine-hole course is popular with locals and visitors, but hooks and slices from perilous players are causing regular damage to the roof.

The Spanish Barn stands alongside Torre Abbey, and got its name from the days of the Spanish Armada in the seventeenth century when it was used to accommodate 400 prisoners.

They were taken from the only galleon captured during the conflict, the Nuestra Senora del Rosario, which was seized by the crew of the English warship Revenge and brought into Tor Bay.

Historic England gives the barn a Grade One listing and says it may be the earliest surviving barn in Devon. It is now used for special events and is popular for weddings, art exhibitions, theatre and music.

For several years, Torbay Council has been drawing up plans to restore the abbey and the Spanish Barn, including uncovering some of its historic buried ruins and opening up more space for public access.

In 2020 it considered removing or relocating the golf course as part of the project to create what would become one of the largest open green spaces in Torquay.

Those plans were delayed during the pandemic.

The new report says the bay’s director of pride in place Alan Denby should review the pitch and putt contract to see if it is still the most appropriate use of the land in front of the barn, particularly in light of the ‘ongoing damage’ and annual repair costs to the roof.

The golf ball warning is one small section of a wide-ranging report from a special scrutiny board set up by Torbay Council to look at its strategies around events, culture and tourism.

Elsewhere it looks at how local businesses and tourist attractions can help promote the bay’s offer to locals and visitors, and how voluntary and community groups can play their part.

It also discusses the wear and tear of holding events on Paignton Green and Torre Abbey Meadows, and suggests the creation of a more permanent showground.