OH DEAR, there appears to have been something of a fall-out following news of plans for an umbrella organisation to bring together various protest groups in the Bay.

I revealed last week how Torbay Civic Society chairman Ian Handford and Paignton Preservation Society Tony Moss were proposing the formation of the Torbay Federation of Amenity Groups. News reached me courtesy of a leaked report of an 'exploratory meeting'.

Part of the way ahead was to approach other people to join the cause, including Bob Brewis, chairman of the Preston Community Partnership, who was quick to say no thanks.

Bob has now sent me a copy of an email he has sent to members of his steering committee making his position even more crystal clear before 'it's leaked to me'.

Bob says in the email: "The two leaders of the Federation of Amenity Groups (strange name in itself) are Ian Handford and Tony Moss and at this early stage if you read the article there is already a split between their 'ideals'.

"Ian Handford is experienced enough to influence his personal views in a somewhat discreet and 'toned down' way while Tony Moss expresses his mind very clearly.

"I have little doubt that they are, as Tony Moss puts it, 'activists'."

Bob goes on: "While I would not want to label myself an activist, I have, in the past, been a 'fly in the ointment'. That is probably how I got involved with the mayoral campaign but then we did not have the support of, or from, community partnerships.

"Only just a few years back Torbay had weak leadership at every level in the council and no one appeared accountable — not something you could accuse the council of now.

"Our steering committee is, and always will be, a stronger alliance than any organisation such as the one being proposed by Ian Handford and Tony Moss."

I also had a call from Malcolm Efford, the man behind the Wishings Field/Pathfields village green campaign in Brixham. Wishings Field was one of the organisations reportedly represented at the federation's exploratory meeting by Barbara Clark.

But Mr Efford was unaware of the presence and said: "I have not authorised anybody to speak on our behalf. I am annoyed."

Not going too well, Mr Handford?

Regarding Mr Efford, he said: "I have never met the man but it is all sorted. Barbara was the lady I always dealt with."

As for Mr Brewis? Mr Handford added: "We have only contacted people who are movers and shakers not because they are chairmen of ward partnerships."

So what does the Torbay Civic Society and other like-minded action groups exactly want to achieve in the Bay? Are they standing in the way of a better future? Just how big a voice and say do they have? What would they do?

Mr Handford says the society is not against development. It has already backed plans for Torwood Street, Goodrington, the Palm Court Hotel and has no problem with the coming of the Travelodges and Premier Inns.

But it is dead against projects which reportedly threaten the Bay's so-called heritage. Top of the list at the moment is the Babbacombe Downs restaurant plan.

Mr Handford says: "There is only one Babbacombe Downs. Once we build on it, it is gone forever."

He adds: "There are 50 projects on the go at the moment all to do with our heritage. You have to prioritise."

He says the way ahead is to build 'things that people really want'.

He says: "You cannot have the whole area demolished. Much of our heritage is being lost."

Where did he see the Bay going?

"I see it as a thriving visitor and retirement area," said Mr Handford.

What happened to the locals?

He accepts money has to be found to repair the damage caused by years of decline, especially for the Torquay promenade.

Where's that coming from?

"There you go," was the response. "I am not a councillor. I am not supposed to put all the ideas in the pot," said Mr Handford.

And that's the dilemma we face. Yes, there is a place for protest groups but do they represent the majority — the civic society, for instance, has 400 members with an average age of 60 — and what alternative, realistic and tangible solutions do they have? Wouldn't you expect a full-house for a public meeting about the Downs plan? The fact that there were no pro-brigaders there is of little surprise. They would have been as welcome as an Everton football fan in the Kop at Liverpool FC.

I see my old sparring partner Jack Critchlow has been having a pop at me on the letters page where he combines my views on the Downs scheme with the birth of my latest grandchild, Riley. Careful here, Jack.

He writes: "How nice it would be for our doting grandfather to take his grandson for a walk on, say, Babbacombe Downs, in a few years time to take in the fresh air, sunshine and stunning vistas and just maybe quietly reflect to himself that perhaps, after all, it was fortunate that there were enough local people with the backbone to take on misguided politicians and vested interests so that he and Riley could still enjoy such pleasant surroundings."

That's just it, Jack, I want to see that natural beauty retained. I don't want to see the resort wrecked. But I also want to see a better future for my grandchildren. If we don't embrace change and some investment Riley won't be able to walk the Downs. It may well be like Torquay seafront is now... falling into the sea.

One thing is almost certain, neither me, Jack or Ian Handford will probably be around when that happens. But that shouldn't stop us building now for the future of our grandchildren. Not to do so would be somewhat selfish.