Pitch and putt to close before consultation begins

Torbay Council leader David Thomas says plans are being looked at to make the site more accessible

A pitch and putt will be closed in Devon before a public consultation on the land's future use begins, council leaders have confirmed.

Torre Abbey Pitch and Putt in Torquay is set to shut on 1 November after Torbay Council decided to terminate the current tenancy for the course, which is located in front of the Grade I-listed Spanish Barn and Torre Abbey, which is a scheduled monument.

Campaigners began a petition to keep it open after damage caused by stray golf balls hitting the buildings was cited as the main reason behind the closure.

Council leader David Thomas said the authority wanted to make improvements to the site and Historic England would not support plans if the course stayed.

Any work planned on a scheduled monument would require special written permission and Historic England says it "strongly advises" owners to consult with them beforehand.

The petition to keep the course open has more than 1,100 signatures.

Its organiser, Anthony Mills, said: "It's a lovely facility, it's close to the sea, it's a part of Torquay."

Margaret Forbes-Hamilton, chair of the Torre Community Partnership, said the course was an integral part of the area.

"If you take this away, then the other businesses are going to lose trade, so it is really important that we keep it here," she said.

'New sites offered'

Mr Thomas said a consultation on the land's future use would be set up.

However, he said this would not happen until the course had closed as the council believed Historic England would not back any plans if the pitch and putt remained open.

Anthony Mills set up a petition to keep the pitch and putt course open

"There is nothing stopping the council putting a pause on everything now, doing a piece of consultation and then reacting to that, but that has consequences," Mr Thomas said.

He added the course's tenants had been offered three different sites in Torbay to set up a new pitch and putt course.

Historic England has been approached for comment by the BBC.