Council cafe plan for Agatha Christie beach

The beach was often frequented by author Agatha Christie

A new cafe and water sports outlet could be built in a secluded Devon cove.

Torbay Council has advertised its intention to lease out 15sqm (161 sqft) of land at Beacon Cove in Torquay.

Also known as "the locals' beach", it was often frequented by author Agatha Christie.

A council spokesperson said the cove would "remain open to the public".

'Catering concession'

The area for lease runs from the sea wall alongside the former Living Coasts site and takes in the concrete hard standing area to the other side of the beach, the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) has said.

The concrete steps and the shingle beach are not included.

A council spokesperson said: "Torbay Council is hoping to attract a catering concession and water sports hiring rights business to Beacon Cove beach.

"The potential granting of a lease will not prevent the general public accessing this area, and the loss of open space… is purely in relation to the physical location of the catering concession.

"The remainder of the cove will remain open to the public."

Any objections to the offer must be made in writing to the council's estates officer by Wednesday 3 April.