Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info A controversial battle over the future of one of Torquay’s historic gardens appears to have escalated after sudden demolition works which has sparked a council investigation. Singleton gardens, part of a Victorian walled garden dating back 150 years, was meant to be partially renovated after Torbay Council granted permission in March 2024 for small-scale extensions and alterations to the site’s gardeners cottage. Instead, local campaigners say OJ Developments used the Easter bank holiday period to completely demolish the entire building, when council enforcement offers were unavailable. The situation has sparked fury among members of the Wellswood Community Partnership and Save Singleton Gardens campaign, who have long fought to protect the site. Campaign figurehead David Redman said that the situation is like “taking a wrecking ball to future generations’ heritage.” (Image: David Black) Singleton Gardens is a cherished green space and is also highlighted in local conservation plans. The gardens were historically used to grow fruit and vegetable for both the previously attached Singleton Manor and tourists passing through on their way to Meadfoot beach - including Agatha Christie. “[The garden is] very inclusive. It can support young people in understanding how they grow fruit and flowers, because that was the function of Singleton Gardens,” says David Redman. “It was always a horticultural centre. So it was actually retailing to tourists who walked past, like Agatha, to the beach. And we've got many local residents with testimonials who remember their children and their grandparents visiting Singleton Gardens. So this is a crucial part of our history.” The demolition is the most recent of disputes between residents and OJ Developments. According to campaigners, the company has previously submitted several failed applications seeking to build flats on the site, which were rejected at both local and government levels. In March 2024, planning permission was approved for OJ Developments to build flats on the property. The planning application was also approved for the demolition of the extension to an existing dwelling, reportedly of the gardener’s cottage on the site. It's alleged that over the Easter weekend, the developers “went in with bulldozers and destroyed the whole thing,” meaning the main building in the heritage site that was not approved for demolition. Further concerns have been raised over alleged aggressive behaviour. David Redman claims to have been physically assaulted in an unprovoked attack after approaching a team of builders on the street and says he has a video of the incident. Police are aware and say enquiries into the nature of the incident are ongoing. A Devon and Cornwall police spokesperson has said: “We were called to Meadfoot Sea Road, Torquay, on Tuesday 22 April following reports of a man being assaulted. Enquiries are ongoing. Counter claims regarding the incident have been made against the reporting person.” A spokesperson for OJ Developments declined to comment whilst the investigation continues. In response to the incident, Torbay Council said: “Officers from our planning enforcement and building controls teams have taken prompt action following reports about unauthorised work over the Easter weekend at Singleton Gardens in Meadfoot Sea Road, Torquay. “From concerns raised about demolition works being carried out over and above the approved planning permission, officers have visited the site a number of times this week and met with the developer and their structural engineers. “We have secured an agreement that there will be no further work apart from minor repairs to protect the neighbouring building while we further investigate what has taken place. “A multi-disciplinary team including members of our Planning, Building Control, Environmental Health and Legal departments will be working to consider the next steps under planning and environmental law, including the possibility of enforcement action to control activity at the site.” Planning Committee Chairman Cllr Martin Brook said: “As a planning authority, we take allegations of breaches of planning permission extremely seriously. “Our planning enforcement team has been strengthened in recent months to increase our focus in this area. “I hope our action in this case will provide reassurance to residents and send a message to developers that we will act firmly and robustly when necessary.” The Save Singleton Gardens campaign has attracted high-profile supporters, including Sir Tim Smit, international conservation charities such as the New York Restoration Project and figures linked to the royal household. Campaigners are also working with the English Riviera Tourist Board and Torquay Museum to develop a wider Agatha Christie Heritage Trail, in which Singleton Gardens could play a role. David Redman explained how the gardens should play a role in Torquay’s push for year-round tourism. (Image: submitted) “Tim Smit, our ambassador, he’s giving us a business model with the Lost Gardens of Heligan. There’s a heritage trail for visitors and residents from Tor Abbey, if we create an Agatha Christie trail, we are hoping that Singleton Gardens can be part of that heritage trail. “It is extremely important for the business people and the people who are in employment who need more business when it's a very quiet period. So out of season, we need more business.” Mr Redman added: “We’re trying as a community to raise the standard in Torquay so that it doesn’t become a gang culture. It doesn’t become violence when you walk down the pavement. People are not attacked in the street. And in the legal department of the council, they need to do better.”