In a significant boost to Torbay’s rejuvenation projects, the council has bagged a £950,000 government grant. This is specifically earmarked for breathing new life into Paignton’s former Crossways shopping centre. This grant forms a part of a joint effort with One Devon and Torbay One Public Estate, who together have raised nearly £2 million. The overarching ambition is the construction of 160 affordable homes on brownfield sites across Devon and Torbay.

Through a successful bid, the Devon & Torbay One Public Estate partnership procured £1.99 million from the Brownfield Land Release Fund 2 (BLRF2), as part of HM Government’s One Public Estate (OPE) Programme. Nationally, a comprehensive £60 million is earmarked to facilitate the release of council-owned brownfield lands for housing ventures.

From this pot, Torbay Council has been allocated £950,000 for the rejuvenation of the Crossways Shopping Centre. The blueprint for this site envisions the creation of around 90 residential units, with the ground floor designated for commercial enterprises.

Speaking on this, Chris Lewis, Deputy Leader of Torbay Council, remarked, “It’s heartening to see the government’s unwavering support for Paignton. As we anticipate the demolition of the pivotal Crossways site, it’s paramount to identify a fitting development partner. This grant undoubtedly propels us closer to that objective.”

This news comes hot on the heels of last week’s blockbuster announcement when Alan Denby, Director of Pride in Place at Torbay Council, unveiled a groundbreaking agreement, potentially surpassing £100 million in value. This development stemmed from Torbay Council’s proactive participation in the annual ‘UK’s Real Estate Investment & Infrastructure Forum’ (UKREiiF) event in Leeds.

Reflecting on this, Denby shared, “Our inaugural collaboration with UKREiiF has been transformative. Being in Leeds facilitated meaningful dialogues with a diverse set of stakeholders. Missing out on such a forum would have signified missed opportunities. As we’re on the cusp of endorsing a value partner for some key sites, it’s evident that being actively engaged in influential discussions bears fruit.”

As it stands, Torbay is amidst a transformative phase, with multi-million-pound undertakings spread across Torquay, Paignton, and Brixham. These ventures aim at not just infrastructural upliftment but also socio-economic revitalisation. Torbay Council’s strategy, moulded by feedback from its citizenry, businesses, and investors, has been the linchpin in this evolution.

Commending this collaboration, UKREiiF Director Matt Christie said, “Observing Torbay Council’s ascent has been truly inspiring. Their foresight in partnering early with UKREiiF and the ensuing benefits are a testament to the merits of genuine networking. Hats off to Torbay!”