Torquay Land Inquiry: Nearly 4 Acres South for Open Spaces: Proposed Purchase: Corporation and Agreement with Company: The value to be placed on a piece of land in the vicinity of Avenue Road, Torquay, which the Torquay Corporation propose to purchase as a public open space was the subject which engaged the attention of an official arbitrator, Mr. John Willmot, of Birmingham at the Torquay Town Hall today. The arbitration was in respect of part of the Devon Rosery and Fruit Farm Limited’s land, nearly four acres in extent … (long discussion) … Mr. Adams added that the increase in the value of land in Torquay in recent years had been enormous. He quoted figures in support of this contention and added that his valuation of the land was £12,000. He considered that the land could be best developed by a roadway extending northwards for Walnut Road about 570 feet, which would allow for two frontages on Walnut Road. Mr. Lhing Pratt: In your view Avenue Road is becoming the centre of Torbay? Yes: Niggardly Valuation: Mr. R. W. H. Pinsent (sic), valuer of Plymouth, called b Mr. Lhind Pratt, said in his plan of development of the land he had allowed for a road similar to that suggested by Mr. Adams, Except that it would be shorter and would cost £1,295, instead of £2,000. He valued the land at £5,100. Mr. Lhind Pratt: In arriving at your valuation, have you been niggardly? – I think I have been the other way. Mr. Pinsent agreed with Mr. Laskey that there was no area in Torquay comparable to the one in question … (continues) … Mr. Laskey … How as it that, according to Mr. Pinsent, other areas further from the sea and railways were valued higher than the land in question? To accept Mr. Pinsent’s figures would, he submitted, be a gross injustice on his clients. The arbitration was closed.
Transcribed in whole or part from scanned originals: Presented with or without modified text and punctuation. For absolute accuracy refer to the original newspapers. Source: The British Newspaper Archive.
Referenced
GRO0322 Hennock: Francis Wingfield Homfray Pinsent: 1875 – 1948