A Mills, the petition author, wrote: “I, along with many others, locals and tourists alike, have enjoyed the pleasure of using the facilities of the Torre Abbey Pitch and Putt.

“This amenity, open for over 60 years, is literally the last public amenity to enjoy in Torquay. The pitch-and-putt has been lovingly maintained for many years and really gives something to the community.”

Nicholas Parkin, the manager at the course, said: “This is a sad and poor decision by Torbay council, to get rid of such a lovely facility and attraction.”

He also cast doubt on the council’s claims, saying: “[Several] years ago we restructured the layout of the course to make sure no golf shots get played towards the Spanish barn or Torre Abbey at all, on any hole.”

The report argued that the council should review the course’s contract to see if it was the best use of land considering the “ongoing damage” to the barn and repair costs.

Thirty-one holes in roof

In 2022, a freedom of information (FoI) request revealed that Torbay council was facing a bill of £20,000 for 31 holes created in the barn’s roof by golf balls. It followed a £12,618 repair in 2017 to address other damage created by golf balls.

The Grade I-listed barn, built about 1200, is known as the Spanish barn because it housed Spanish Armada prisoners in the 16th century.