OH DEAR! My last essay seems to have really set the cat among the pigeons and caused equal upset in Babbacombe and Paignton.

It's quite difficult to get the tone right. I rather enjoy putting the words down on paper (the old fashioned way) and regard it as a huge compliment when people react to all this: it means they read it.

However, it is never intended to cause great offence.

I believe you will look in vain to find me making a personal attack on anybody.

I am simply using the privilege of this space to get across a message and explain what I am up to, without sounding as though I have swallowed the Town Hall dictionary.

Of course, I do sometimes talk about groups of people, famously the 'gloom 'n doom merchants', the 'anti-brigade' and now the 'Snooty Ooty Set'.

I then chuckle to myself when folks write in 'disgusted' but so obviously keen to wear the cap which fits.

The very last thing I intended to do was to criticise the good works of the Paignton Regatta Committee.

They do so much each summer for the town. I was born in Paignton, went to school, lived and worked there for many years.

I could probably find an old Montpellier School cap and a jacket from Perrett's at the back of my wardrobe, if I looked long enough.

The Regatta Fair is part of my childhood memory. Family and friends used to rattle a tin and count the money after the fireworks displays (and Peter Tully's legendary commentaries).

It was therefore in sorrow rather than anger when I wrote of my great disappointment one organisation working for the good of the town could not find a compromise with another organisation, also working for the good of the town: the Paignton Community Partnership, which is leading a project to build a world class play park on the seafront.

The play park proposal has gone through a democratic process, unanimously supported by my cabinet, given planning consent by councillors on the development control committee and endorsed by a substantial majority of those who took part in the most recent consultation.

It is now in the hands of the Lottery to decide whether or not to fund this project.

I really hope it is not given the thumbs down due to an email campaign intended to stop an attraction which will bring families and children to Paignton and enable them to have fun together.

If I was organising an event on the Green, I would be rubbing my hands with glee at the thought of all the extra customers there would be for side shows, lucky dips and raffles.

I remember a similar controversy, perhaps 15 years ago, when it was proposed to build an all-weather running track by Audley Park School (now Torquay Community College).

The funding was in place and everybody was under starter's orders when Torbay councillors, listening to the anti-brigade, turned the proposal down.

Then, as now, people were saying 'we are not anti, we just don't want it there!'

All these years on, of course, it is nowhere, because the funding never came along for anywhere else and there were technical difficulties with other sites.

It is a good lesson for people to remember.

Back to Babbacombe. It was certainly a lively, if not terribly uplifting, meeting last week. About some people's conduct, perhaps the least said the better.

But I would like to say 'thank you' to those who have been kind enough to send messages of encouragement and support.

Pretty much all the points raised at the meeting and in comments since, were raised and responded to in detail at the much calmer 'call in' at the Town Hall just before Christmas, when a majority of councillors agreed 'no further action be taken'.

In other words they approved the earlier decision taken at cabinet.

I wonder if the best course would be to now have a 'cooling off' period before full consultation takes place on the actual plans which come forward?

Then councillors, not me, can decide on their merit or otherwise at the development control committee.

However, I am aware I did not acquit myself terribly well last week (neither would you in such circumstances), so here are some quick responses to issues raised:

Q: Why such a long lease?

A: Nobody is going to invest over £400,000 without this security.

Q: Why could locals not apply?

A: They could.

Comment: The rent should be £30,000, £40,000 or more!

A: Only in cloud cuckoo land. This is, in effect, a site, not a fit for purpose building. There is an obligation to provide an all-year public loo and maintain a viewing platform.

Comment: There should be no commercial development on council land!

A: Really? There are a string of cafes, shops, etc owned by this council and others in equally picturesque locations.

Comment: You would not build a restaurant on Berry Head!

A: Actually, as part of the Sea Change Programme we are completing a large café/visitors centre there.

Q: What about parking?

A: There are two under-used public car parks within a few minutes walk. No car park will be built on the Downs.

Q: What about the covenants?

A: At a meeting last year council officers were led to believe the Cary Estate would amend the covenants and a letter, dated July 7, from their agent/valuer pretty much confirms this, despite what has been said since.

Comment: It's all been done in secret!

A: Not true: the 'loos with a view' project was widely publicised, this site was properly advertised in May 2008 and the timing of the decision published in the council's forward plan in August last year.

I accept lessons need to be learned regarding the consultation process, but there was nothing to stop the community partnership or councillors having a meeting before the decision was made.

This brings me to my final point.

Babbacombe is a truly beautiful place, but part of its character is its built environment and range of amenities.

This built environment is bound to change over the years to meet the changing needs of visitors and residents. It is unrealistic to believe every structure can stay the same for ever more.

But if this current climate, with a strong wind set against change, had prevailed years ago, then Babbacombe as we know it would never have been created.

Just imagine the furore, supposing for a moment they were not there, if a Mayor of Vision came along and suggested building a 600-seat theatre at one end of the Downs, and then a twin track railway through virgin woodland from the other end of the Downs to the beach below.

What letters there would be in the local paper, petitions and angry meetings!

Progress!

ON a much happier note, a highlight of last week was to visit Upton St James School in Torquay and congratulate the headteacher, Claire Prynn, her staff and pupils on their stunning results.

For two years this school has been in the top three (out of 30) Torbay primary schools at key stage two. They have also just received an encouraging Ofsted report.

This school was greatly damaged by the previous administration's decision to close it. I campaigned vigorously against that decision and when I became mayor overturned it.

It did not seem right to me to close a school which was a beacon of hope for families in one of our most deprived areas, especially as the alternatives on offer did not provide the same ethos or level of attainment.

Upton St James was something worth fighting for.