Alan Taylor VIEWS OF TOR BAY ALANTAYLORis conservation officer for Torbay Borough Council. This is a synopsis of the talk he gave at the conference 'Reviving Our Old Towns' ~n Torquay in February of this year. Since 1974 when the present Borough Council came into being, conservation has been a central plank in our planning strategy for Torbay. Prior to this, a number of unfortunate developments had occurred, and only three conservation areas had been designated (one of them in Torquay). Since then, a further eleven conservation areas have been designated, including Torquay Harbour. During that time we have protected listed buildings and other buildings of character, and we have promoted high standards of design both inside and outside conservation areas. We have also made a start on positive environmental improvement measures. Fleet Street Fleet St is a particularly interesting example of the problems and opportunities in the revival of historic town centres. The site was bedevilled even in the late 18th century, before Tor Quay was more than a harbourside hamlet, by conflicts of ownership. Throughout the 19th century, these conflicts prevented proper redevelopment of the area, and perpetuated what were recognized at the time as highly unsatisfactory street patterns. In order to trade at all, shopkeepers in Fleet St had to try and create a more satisfactory shopping depth by bridging over George St which ran parallel and at a lower level. This created an ugly street, about 40% of which lay in tunnel. It is incorrect to describe the area behind Fleet St as 'Torquay Old Town'. It was an area neglected by the two major landowners of the area, and subordinated to their conflicting interests. It contains no listed buildings at all; there are three 19th century buildings, and one early 20th century building, in the area, which are of some character but of marginal quality. Fleet Street is important for its serpentine curve, and the repetition of first floor arched window openings, creating a powerful image of Torquay. It Page 4 ~ .. _,_, \:.: \ (: ?t¥ f ) • -~ f,. , . ,..:_:•i:>. .·• ·,. ···. . ~ .-···,.. ~--=:.._ ~ '•.-:-:~_ ,' is, however, flawed and poor in execution and constructed of brick, which is not basically a Torquay material. It is considered that a new facade in stucco could achieve everything which the present facade offers - and a great deal more. Torquay is a sub-regional shopping centre which is failing to fulfil its sub-regional role. Part of the reason for this is Fleet St. It is not a
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