Planners advised to reject Torquay's big wheel

Mellors want to put up their 45-metre wheel in the council-owned Princess Gardens

Torquay’s seafront big wheel, which has been a feature of Torbay’s summer landscape for more than a decade, could be missing this year.

Torbay Council's planning officers have advised members of the planning committee to reject the wheel's operator's application.

Mellors apply for permission annually to put the big wheel next the Princess Theatre.

Officers described the ride as "alien and incongruous".

A council spokesperson said: “In this case, officers have concluded that the harm to local heritage outweighs the benefits presented.”

Torbay Council's planning meeting is scheduled for Monday 29 April, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

'Clear harm'

Mellors want to put up their 45-metre wheel, a ticket office and a catering unit in the council-owned Princess Gardens.

They would pay £30,000 towards resurfacing pathways in the gardens.

But the planning committee will hear the site is a sensitive location in the Torquay Harbour Conservation Area and next to a listed war memorial and fountain.

Rob Palmer, Torbay Council's principal historic environment officer, said the development would not "enhance" the area.

“The wheel and its associated structures appear as alien and incongruous features.

"The proposals in their current form would neither preserve nor enhance the character or appearance of the identified conservation area.”

"In this case, officers have concluded that the harm to local heritage outweighs the benefits presented.

Meanwhile, work to install an observation wheel arrived at Dawlish Warren is underway.

Located on Beach Walk, the development received permission to be installed at Dawlish Warren for six months.

The wheel is being transported in small sections underneath the Dawlish Warren railway bridge, and will be opened to the public next week.