Stunning drone shots show the rejuvenation of Torquay's Italian Gardens

Cllr Adam Billings, Cabinet Member for Pride in Place, Culture & Events and Parking for Torbay Council, said; “I'm very happy to see the team breaking ground to deliver the promised improvements at the Italian Gardens. The revised planting scheme offers a long-term solution to this key public space in Torbay. 

"I sincerely believe that these improvements will address the initial concerns expressed by the local community and provide a garden fit for the next chapter of the Italian Gardens and Torbay. We would like to thank people for their patience while the improvements are completed."

SWISCo have insisted: "The removal of the palm trees, which were some 40 in total was the start of us making these changes. These trees were at varying stages of decline, none being in their prime and having sustained a long period of weathering from the elements of being on the seafront.

"The palms we removed were Cordyline australis (Cabbage Palm) with a lifespan of 50 to 70 years in UK horticultural settings and, while they tolerate salty air, it is not ideal growing conditions for them. Most of the palms we removed were already around 50 years old and displaying signs of advanced decline, evident by the presence of die-back in the top of the palm.

"It is worth noting that there were no palms present in the Italian Gardens when it was first planted in 1924. They have been added over the years and periodically replaced as they have died off at at varying stages. While the Gardens have always been planted in a renaissance style, the look and feel has been ever evolving. Of late, the quality of the Gardens had diminished and they were looking far from their best."