Paignton: the future?

Residents 'saddened' by town's decline

Christmas shoppers in Paignton have been given a glimpse of a possible future for the town.

Members of the Action For Paignton group fitted out a pop-up shop in Torbay Road and filled it with drawings and models which they say could solve some of the town’s problems.

They included proposals for the historic Bishops Place, built in 1908 and which was used for more than 100 years as a centre for community education.

Richard Kaskow of Action For Paignton says the building could be quickly and inexpensively turned into a heritage centre and community hub.

A wetland area at the edge of Victoria Park could also be made into an urban nature reserve with local primary schools and community groups getting involved.

The reserve could be a stepping stone towards a full restoration of the park.

Mr Kaskow said both of the these projects could have been started any time in the last 10 years

The exhibition also featured fresh proposals for the Victorian Parkfield House on Paignton seafront, with the aim of restoring the building and opening it for the community.

And the group’s three-dimensional models and proposals for the seafront and Victoria Square were also put on display.

More than 800 people, including a number of local councillors, looked at the displays in the run-up to Christmas.

“The aim has always been to bring positive change to our town with the old and new working together,” said Mr Kaskow, who has 45 years’ experience as an architect.

“Many lifelong residents are saddened by the town’s decline. The imminent closure of Lidl’s is of real concern and the uncertainty over the pedestrianisation or not-pedestrianisation scheme is not lifting the town’s spirit with 2024 on the horizon.”

He said that while council officers would be involved in the big projects, the community itself could kick-start smaller ones.

“We’re explaining Paignton’s heritage, along with the various projects we’ve been involved with as a community partnership to try and influence the council’s decision making and help create a better town,” he said.

“I’ve worked in architecture and planning all my life, and I’m sharing how I might tackle these problems.

“It’s a matter of debating it around the table, but so often we get a red line drawn by council officers, and that’s extremely disappointing.”