This is the moment a heritage campaigner was attacked by a man in a high vis jacket at an historic gardens used by Agatha Christie amid a row over planning.
David Redman, 62, says he was left with a missing tooth after the alleged confrontation with a developer outside Singleton Gardens in Torquay, Devon.
The 150-year-old walled garden is at the centre of a planning row after a local building firm was granted permission to partially renovate an existing gardeners’ cottage.
However, locals say OJ Developments used the Easter bank holiday to completely demolish the entire building.
Pictures show piles of rubble and the council has since implemented a day stop notice as they investigate possible ‘unauthorised’ work.
And now a video has emerged of David, who is a member of local campaign group ‘Save Singleton Gardens’, being attacked by a man in a high vis jacket days later.
David claims he was assaulted by a developer at the Victorian walled garden and has reported the incident to police, but does not want to press charges.
He said: ‘If you are prepared to disregard the law, you turn to street violence because one thinks they are immune. We must expose the violence.’
This is the moment a heritage campaigner was attacked by a man in a high vis jacket at an historic gardens used by Agatha Christie in a row over planning
Pictured: Singleton Gardens where a row has broken out over demolition work
David Redman (pictured), 62, says he was left with a missing tooth after the alleged confrontation with a developer outside Singleton Gardens in Torquay, Devon
The Singleton gardens heritage asset is part of the conservation area and curtilage to Singleton Manor, a Grade II listed building owned by a horticulturalist and local businessman.
Local author Agatha Christie would frequently walk through Singleton Gardens on her way to Meadfoot sea beach.
Campaigners have fought hard to protect the garden, deemed by locals as ‘the beating heart of the community’, from developers over the last five years.
David said: ‘If we lose our heritage buildings, we are in danger of loosing what it means to be British.
‘This site is a nominated green space – a cultural heritage asset within a monument.
‘But they sent a wrecking ball to destroy it. It is a tragedy and destruction driven by developers and greed.
‘They have ruined our lives with this and have destroyed future generations’ heritage.
‘It is an oasis of paradise here, but now, a significant part of it has been destroyed – and it has created an eyesore for tourism.’
A heritage campaigner says he was attacked by a man in a high vis jacket at an historic gardens used by Agatha Christie in a row over planning
Pictured: The gates of Singleton Gardens where a row has broken out over demolition work
The gardeners’ cottage at Singleton was supposed to be partially renovated after Torbay Council granted permission in March last year for ‘a modest development on the existing structure’.
But members of the Wellswood Community Partnership and the Save Singleton Gardens campaign claim it was totally knocked down over Easter.
The campaign has attracted high-profile supporters, including founder of the Eden Project Sir Tim Smit, and figures linked to the royal household.
English Heritage describes Singleton Gardens as ‘an unusual survivor’ and Sir Tim said previous proposals there left him ‘dumbfounded’.
Campaigners say they are also working with the English Riviera Tourist Board and Torquay Museum to develop a wider Agatha Christie Heritage Trail, in which Singleton Gardens would play a role.
David says he was attacked April 22 – just days after the developers arrived on the site on Good Friday to destroy the heritage building.
David says he was walking to his neighbours’ house, new to the area, who lives right next to the gardens when he was assaulted.
A Devon and Cornwall police spokesperson told Devon Live: ‘We were called to Meadfoot Sea Road, Torquay, on Tuesday 22 April following reports of a man being assaulted.
The 150-year-old walled garden is at the centre of a planning row after a local building firm was granted permission to partially renovate an existing gardeners’ cottage
David says he was attacked April 22 – just days after the developers arrived on the site on Good Friday to destroy the heritage building
Photos show piles of rubble at the gardens that were visited by Agatha Christie
‘Counter claims regarding the incident have been made against the reporting person.’
Singleton Gardens is just hundreds of yards away from the homes which once belonged to Charles Darwin and Herbet Minton.
The space was used historically to grow fruit and vegetables for Singleton Manor, as well as locals and tourists passing through on their way to Meadfoot beach.
David said: ‘People have a real passion for this special site.
‘It’s important to highlight its importance for the local and national government, who must consider the younger generation who are technophobes.
‘It’s so important for young children to know about how nature behaves and understand where our food comes from.’
David and Singleton Gardens Group are raising awareness of the injustice and are working in conjunction with a newly emerging movement called ‘Shame on You’.
He added: ‘We are trying to save this town and then the bay.
‘We are not stopping this – this council is bullying us and is allowing the developers to carry on illegally.’
Torbay Council said: ‘Officers from our planning enforcement and building controls teams have taken prompt action following reports about unauthorised work over the Easter weekend at Singleton Gardens in Meadfoot Sea Road, Torquay.
Photos show piles of rubble at the gardens that were visited by Agatha Christie
Pictured: Singleton Gardens where a row has broken out about some demolition work
‘From concerns raised about demolition works being carried out over and above the approved planning permission, officers have visited the site a number of times this week and met with the developer and their structural engineers.
‘We have secured an agreement that there will be no further work apart from minor repairs to protect the neighbouring building while we further investigate what has taken place.
‘A multi-disciplinary team including members of our Planning, Building Control, Environmental Health and Legal departments will be working to consider the next steps under planning and environmental law, including the possibility of enforcement action to control activity at the site.’
Planning Committee Chairman Cllr Martin Brook said: ‘As a planning authority, we take allegations of breaches of planning permission extremely seriously.
‘Our planning enforcement team has been strengthened in recent months to increase our focus in this area.
‘I hope our action in this case will provide reassurance to residents and send a message to developers that we will act firmly and robustly when necessary.’
OJ Developments has been approached for a comment.
