Campaign to halt Paignton wall

ANGRY locals say they are determined to stop a £1.35 million concrete flood defence wall from being built along the entire length of Paignton Promenade.

Campaigners say there has been no proper consultation and the wall would ruin the look of the Victorian promenade.

They have made a wooden wall model and painted one side with graffiti, because they believe that is what will happen if the proposed pre-cast concrete wall is built.

Colin Hurst, secretary of Paignton Town Centre Partnership, said:

“This will have a detrimental physical and visual impact. It’s already being called the Berlin Wall.

“If we say or do nothing more, it will get built. There is already a planning-ready scheme, with a start in October. We have suggested an alternative approach.”

The alternative is a three-tiered series of lower ‘green’ walls – inspired by the motte and bailey design of medieval castles.

It will consist of a curved wave wall – lower in height than the council’s proposal, so that parked cars could still look out at the view.

A second buffer would be on the land side of the promenade, at a height which could also be used for seating. Then behind that is envisaged a high Devon bank and hedge, to provide a third buffer from the incoming sea levels.

The campaigners say they are meeting next week with the Environment Agency to discuss the viability of their scheme. Torbay Council leader Steve Darling told campaigners: “There will be no pushing hard ahead with this. This is something that will affect generations to come.”