THE public has a right to know what is holding up the multi-million pound Oldway Mansion hotel and houses project, says the chairman of Torbay Civic Society, Ian Handford (pictured).

He says with the initial phase of redevelopment of the Oldway Estate nearing completion — the Fernham House site courtesy of new homes from McCarthy and Stone — the society believes the public have little knowledge about why the second phase, which includes a start on the restoration of Oldway Mansion, has not been announced.

He writes: It was in 2007 that a BBC website quoted Oldway Mansion as one of our country’s hidden gems, when visitors voted it 17th out of the top 20 lesser known properties in the UK.

Oldway Estate and its Mansion — the largest listed building in Torbay — is still the top jewel in the Queen of the English Riviera crown.

Though the estate is popular with residents it came as no surprise to learn that cash-strapped Torbay Council was to invite the private sector to find a sustainable way of restoring the mansion and its outbuildings to their former glory.

At that time Torbay Civic Society together with Paignton Heritage Society became involved and was delighted when Torbay Council asked them to join its Working Party half a decade ago.

Later, with many meetings and public exhibitions held, the group were able to endorse Urban Splash Company as the council’s preferred developer, although later the contract was transferred to Akkeron Ltd — a subsidiary.

An enormous amount of work resulted in plans being laid to redevelop what had been the Singer family estate which included restoration and a sustainable use for Oldway Mansion, the Rotunda and the stable buildings by creating a four star boutique hotel.

A decision finally surfaced in a public notice in September, 2012, at which time it was estimated that an investment in excess of £7million would be required just to restore the mansion and Rotunda.

The working party, meanwhile, in recognising the massive changes proposed as likely to be very controversial, now endorsed the idea of a Friends of Oldway group being formed, from a suggestion by Torbay Civic Society — often called the heritage guardians of Torbay — in partnership with Paignton Heritage Society.

The Friends today are chaired by Paul Hawthorne.

In appreciating this would achieve a wider input of views from the public, the Friends of Oldway together with Torbay Civic and Paignton Heritage societies remain fully supportive of the proposed concept for a new hotel, new indoor bowling club, re-established tennis courts and an outdoor bowling green and wedding facilities plus reception centre.

Other major changes proposed for the park include a new Orangery and Grotto plus re-laid gardens all of which will remain accessible and free to the general public in perpetuity once the project is complete.

The large project was even endorsed by the great granddaughter of Paris Singer, Ms Louisa Hutton who, speaking on behalf of the family, is also a professional in the field being the founder of a highly respected architectural firm in Berlin.

With Torbay Council, the planners, English Heritage and the three supporting institutions also firmly in favour of the concept, the redevelopment plans seemed to be a win-win situation at this point.

So why the secrecy, what went wrong?

In appreciating the sheer enormity of the project it has been quite amazing to the society that no opposition group has been formed against redevelopment, as occurred over proposals for the development at Churston Golf Club by Bloor Homes and the in-town supermarket by Tesco Group at Brixham.

The society had expected the second phase to have been well under way by December, 2013, and yet due to legal differences between the developer and Torbay Council, no actual start date has yet been announced. The lack of information does not auger well for a quick resolution says Mr Handford, and yet what we do not wish to see is the unloved and unused buildings left to survive for another winter.

Whether or not the local elections due next year are having a bearing on the signing of contracts is not clear.

What is clear is that the public have a right to know what is holding back the final signing.

Mr Handford said he is aware James Brent of Akkeron is still committed to the redevelopment project and that, in fact, he still wishes to see Oldway as his ‘flagship’ project.

With no firm date yet agreed and with no ‘Plan B’ on the horizon, Mr Handford is suggesting an independent arbitrator should be brought in to speed up matters.

“In hindsight, perhaps it would have been better if the public rooms and council offices had remained in use at Oldway, as has occurred with the tennis courts.

“The lack of information is not helping the project’s supporting agencies and is unsettling and if no firm commitment is achievable, then the sooner Torbay Council and its officers start to think seriously about a Plan B, the better for all concerned.”