Jim Parker: Demolish or restore? Get on with either

It is a crying and disgraceful shame that some of the Bay’s most historic and cherished buildings have been allowed to fall into neglect and disrepair.

We can all point the finger of blame in as many directions as we wish but what good will that do? The sad demise of the likes of Oldway Mansion and the Pavilion haven’t become eyesores overnight. 

The reality is both former gems now need renovating costing millions and millions of pounds or dare I mention the other option, the dreaded ‘D’ word - ‘D’ for demolition!

Before the social media slaughter begins, I personally believe this is not an answer for the future of the two famous and landmark locations.

But what about other sites which are also falling down? Buildings dating back to Victorian times have a part in our history without anybody really being aware in the first place and have now seen better times.

Let’s switch to Paignton town centre where daggers have been drawn over the future of prominent Victorian buildings which now look a mess, damaging the town’s reputation for locals and visitors alike.

A pressure group is calling for the eyesore buildings opposite the railway station to be preserved and restored rather than being demolished to make way for new flats.

Numbers 62 to 70 Victoria Street front onto Station Square and face the station. The pub, takeaway, number of shops and an empty first floor which was once home to a nightclub are the first things some visitors will see as they get off their train.

No disrespect or criticism of the businesses but the buildings are not a pretty sight. They are decaying, with masonry falling onto the pavement below.

Funding from the Future High Streets government pot first awarded a few years ago is finally being linked to a massive regeneration project for the town centre which may include the demolition of the old buildings to make way for a potential residential flats development.

But campaigners from Action for Paignton want to see the site renovated and saved from the bulldozers.

The building was originally designed by George Soudon Bridgman in Victorian times as a hotel. Bridgman was also involved in the creation of Oldway Mansion, the seafront Paignton Club, Paignton Pier and many other listed buildings in Torbay. He was known as the ‘Father of Paignton’.

Richard Kaskow is a leading figure in the new Paignton campaign group which he says comprises people who decided to break away from the Paignton Community Partnership of which Richard was vice-chairman.
He says: “A number of us have started an alternative group. We are not here to roll over.

We do our own stuff. We are prepared to hear both sides of the case but are always seeking to do the best for Paignton.”

He said restoring the Station Square buildings was the ‘general view’.
Richard said: “It was designed by Victorian architect George Soudon Bridgman.

He also did the town plan for the whole of Paignton beyond mediaeval Winner Street and Church Street – a brilliant town plan with integral parks.

“Paignton is noted as being one of the finest Victorian towns in the west country.

“The buildings go back to Victorian times. This building is not listed but it is in a conservation area. Historic England has commented on it as being of ‘local, importance’.”

He lives in Christchurch but works in Paignton during the week. He is no newcomer to action groups - he led a similar body in Warminster which has defeating plans for a massive highway project as one of its planning victories.

He has a degree in architecture and has run his own architectural practice for the past 20 years and he has worked for well-known historic consultants.

He says of the Station Square buildings: “People are so tired of the eyesore they think demolishing is better than keeping it. The council have always been in favour of knocking it down.”

But he adds: “We would like to see it retained. It is an integral part of Paignton’s heritage. It can be restored without costing an absolute fortune.”

He reckons a restoration project could be completed in 12 months. “Demolition will take longer. You will have to close the whole of the town centre,” he claims.

He adds: “People do not realise that Paignon has a fantastic heritage. They just see the tack that has overwhelmed it. This is about positive change and not having somebody coming in to make a few million with a quick fix. It is about breathing new life into old buildings.”

It does seem that whenever a regeneration project is mentioned in Paignton a small group of natives take to the warpath and the name Richard Kaskow is always there leading the charge.

But he maintains: “I am not a troublemaker. I have spent my life doing stuff where there has been a positive outcome. I just want to make people stop and think rather than take the easiest option, especially in Paignton.

Not forgetting the overall vision from our ancestors which created a Garden Town by the Seaside. This is still very relevant to the way we design and use the public realm today.”

He admits: “People have told me I need to go to Spec Savers.” But he says: “I am just being up front.” 

Everybody is entitled to their opinion and must be respected for that. My only concern here is a lack of progress. Mixing old with new would be a great outcome if there is a sustainable and viable use. Now is the Time to get on with it!