Calls for new park at ‘Chernobyl-on-Sea’

The old gasworks site has been derelict for 12 years

A derelict Torbay building site nicknamed ‘Chernobyl-on-Sea’ should be transformed into the area’s first new public park in decades.

That’s the call from former bay mayor Gordon Oliver, who is asking councillors to back his ambitious proposals at Hollicombe.

The former gasworks off the main seafront road between Torquay and Paignton has been empty for more than 12 years after planning permission was granted for nearly 200 houses. Large gasometers were demolished and the area was cleared.

Residents protested that the area had been contaminated by its previous use, and developers undertook lengthy work under special protective covers to rid the site of pollution.

It was at that time that protesters coined the nickname ‘Chernobyl-on-Sea’.

But work to build the long-awaited homes never started.

Last year agents for the developers said there were still plans to build, and eyesore hoardings at the roadside were repaired and painted by local artists.

Now Mr Oliver, who was the bay’s elected mayor from 2011 to 2019, says the time has come to take back the area and turn it into a public park, complete with restaurant, toilets and a car park.

“We haven’t had a new park in Torbay for many years, “ he said. “Preston Primary School, which is next door, is growing and could benefit from extra facilities for the children, for games, horticulture and other activities.  

“Additional tree planting would be welcome, as well as linking up walking and cycling with the coastal path.”

Mr Oliver says grant aid would be available for some of the work.

“It’s a beautiful site,” he said. “We need to protect some of our undeveloped landscapes for future generations, and I think that this is one of them.”