Thousands join fight to protect prized Devon beach

Queues of people arrive to have their say over the Breakwater Bistro plans in Brixham

A petition calling for Brixham’s Breakwater Beach to be protected from development has been submitted in the House of Commons.

More than 2,000 people signed it in response to plans put forward last year for a £25 million complex beside the beach, including a 44-bed hotel, spa and bistro.

Would-be developer Jack Turton recently said he would go back to the drawing board after his original proposals prompted a storm of protest. Locals claim the hotel would ruin the Blue Flag beach.

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They claimed its bulk would completely overshadow the beach. Mr Turton, who owns Breakwater Bistro, said the majority of local people opposed his plans, meaning they would now go back for a complete re-design.

He said the proposal would bring jobs and visitors to Brixham, and the next designs would reflect the public consultation and would continue to provide toilets and changing rooms.

Another consultation will be held later in the year. The petition, handed in by Totnes MP Anthony Mangnall, whose constituency includes Brixham, called for town and village green status to be awarded to Breakwater Beach.

That would mean protecting the beach from development. And, said Mr Mangnall, it would “ensure that an important part of South Devon ’s coastline can be protected for future generations.”

The petition, organised by local campaigners Robin and Rebecca Hooker, says residents are concerned about the proposed development and note that while no formal plans have been submitted to Torbay Council, the early drawings had not been welcomed.

It goes on: “Breakwater Beach should be protected due to the beauty and nature of the surrounding coastal area.”

A town or village green is legally designated as an area of open space which has been used by the public for sports, pastimes and recreation. If it is successfully registered, the land must remain open and cannot be built upon. The status was recognised in the Commons Act 2006.