TORBAY Council could buy the derelict former B&Q site in Torre after calls for action to be taken against its owners.

Torquay-based developer Cavanna Group has agreed with residents and traders that the former DIY shopping warehouse, which has been empty since 2008, is becoming an eyesore.

Now it has revealed it is in the early stage of putting together a new planning application.

It is also in discussions with the council about a possible purchase by the local authority for a residential scheme.

Ward councillor Darren Cowell says the time has come for a planning enforcement notice to be issued against Cavanna, which owns the former store and adjoining buildings and land.

He said: "Concerns have been raised in Torre and I spoke to the planning office at the end of last summer about the issues.

"I look forward to seeing those plans but unless they are going to bulldoze or convert it very quickly, it's still an eyesore.

"It's awful. It just looks on the verge of dereliction.

"There is no reason why the enforcement process is not started because they can put a planning application in and still not do anything with it, and it will still be derelict in three or four years' time.

"This is also about building on brownfield rather than greenfield sites.

"They have got a moral duty not to just tart it up, but to make it attractive."

An earlier planning application for conversion of the plot to 43 flats was turned down after objections from residents.

Ward councillor and Torre trader Robert Excell said: "As a trader, I feel we have been let down by the landlords of the B&Q site.

"We would welcome speedy progress in developing the site."

Kevin Fannon, chairman of Torre Action Group, said: "We blocked the earlier planning application because of over-development and lack of car parking, and have heard nothing since.

"Now it is becoming an eyesore."

Ian Pugsley, Cavanna's head of planning, said: "We agree that it's becoming a bit of an eyesore which is not best for Torre.

"We will be working with the council's planning officers with regards to a mixed-use scheme with, perhaps, residential and some retail, but it is very early days."

Cllr David Thomas said: "If the authority requests an owner to do some work, it's called a section 215. We have not requested a section 215.

"We are currently working with the Cavanna Group and have an open dialogue with them to try to bring a scheme forward but it's a difficult time at the bottom of the market.

"I am hoping for a planning application that fits in with the area and is also a happy solution for the developer."

He told a full Torbay Council meeting they were talking about taking over the site but had not yet reached agreement on a price.

He said: "However, there is a will from both parties to find a solution. We hope to be able to make a positive recommendation shortly."

He said they felt it was better to bring forward a scheme rather than take enforcement action.

He said: "If our negotiations fail, maybe enforcement action will be looked at."

Margaret Forbes-Hamilton, of Tormohun Community Partnership and the Torbay Urban Forum, said: "I feel the enforcement officers should be taking action on developing brownfield sites first before greenfields.

"Cavanna says it's not suitable for family homes but they could build lovely little Victorian-style terraced homes for two or three people with courtyard gardens at the back.

"The site is becoming more and more of an eyesore."