Marking one year of a successful regeneration partnership with plans for flagship town centre transformational scheme released

In the past year, public-private collaboration has advanced major reviews and developments of transformative projects set to reshape Torbay’s town centers, aiming for a sustainable, future-focused urban experience.

Willmott Dixon and Milligan mark the one-year anniversary of our innovative and forward-thinking partnership.

Over the past 12-months, the public and private sector partnership has made significant strides forward in reviewing, developing and evaluating the viability of bay wide transformational schemes that will revolutionise how Torbay’s town centres work in the future.

Bringing forward for development and delivery

• Six sites in Torquay and Paignton.
• Up to 700 homes including new homes for sale and rent, extra care and affordable homes.
• New healthcare facilities including diagnostics centres and GP surgeries.
• New employment opportunities in construction, healthcare, retail, leisure and hospitality, and opportunities for skills development.
• A new high-end boutique hotel.
• New independent cafes and restaurants.
• New public squares and spaces.
• New and improved parking.

One of the most exciting projects in the portfolio is the redevelopment of Union Square Shopping Centre in Torquay. From today, the community will see for the first time the preferred design option that will be taken forward for full planning consent, anticipated to be in the first half of 2025. The design captures the needs and aspirations of local stakeholders by creating a town centre hub that is fit for the future, provides much needed affordable housing for sale and rent and diversifies the local economy.

Union Square

The redevelopment of Union Square, which will see the existing multi-storey car park retained, has £11million of Town Deal funding allocated to it, and will be complemented by further public and private sector investment. The community will be able to comment on the Union Square proposals once it enters the statutory planning process this winter.

The Strand, Torquay’s harbourside

At Torquay’s harbourside, work is ongoing to bring forward a revised scheme at the Strand. Design options are being worked through that will see a mixed-used scheme stretch from 7-14 the Strand with links to The Terrace from the harbourside, complementing and enhancing the wider public realm works.

Two further sites being considered by the Regeneration Partners are Lower Union Lane and Torre Marine.

Victoria Shopping Centre

In Paignton town centre, the redevelopment of Victoria Shopping Centre and the adjoining multi-storey car park is about to enter the enabling phase. Demolition work gets underway in early 2025 to make way for a scheme that will provide housing, rejuvenate the area and attract businesses back into the town. A preferred option to take forward to the planning stage is being worked on.

Crossways

Work is underway to bring forward a revised option for the site that will deliver around 90 extra care homes. It is proposed to bring forward a new planning application for this site in the middle of 2025.

Business engagement

We, Willmott Dixon and Milligan are keen to ensure businesses and brands are retained in the town centres and is supporting them with any short and long-term relocation requirements. Behind the scenes, the regeneration team has been having commercially sensitive conversations with retailers and occupiers of both sites, with some properties already acquired.

Community engagement

More widely across Torbay, throughout 2024, positive engagement work has been taking place with a range of stakeholders. Building on the existing town centre masterplans and visions, their feedback has been listened to and captured to help develop a framework of opportunities and priorities that reflect the true aspirations and needs of the community, investors, local entrepreneurs and the visitor economy.

Emerging from this work is a strong desire to take a cohesive approach to regeneration across Torbay’s town centres and prioritising projects that will have the greatest impact on the community, visitors, investors and the local economy.  

The Torbay Place Leadership board, chaired by Jim Parker, has been instrumental in promoting investment opportunities in the bay though the Torbay Story programme. The power of the Torbay Story was the driving force behind securing the regeneration partnership at UKREiiF (UK’s Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum) in 2023. Back at UKREiiF for a second time in May 2024 to tell the next chapter in the Torbay Story, this time with a focus on attracting investors and developers, by showcasing that Torbay is investor ready. Positive conversations with investors are moving forward and are hoped to be concluded over the coming months, marking yet another significant milestone in Torbay’s ambitious regeneration programme.

Cllr David Thomas, Leader of Torbay Council, said; “The work over the last 18-months by the Council has shown that Torbay is the place to invest, live, visit and have fun in.

“Bringing in the experience of Willmott Dixon and Milligan has enabled us to move forward with our ambitious plans for key sites. The work carried out since we went into partnership one-year ago has put us in a strong position to deliver schemes that will deliver a multitude of benefits to anyone that lives in or visits Torbay.

“This really is a once in a generational opportunity for Torbay, and we hope the community share our enthusiasm and excitement for the changes on the not-too-distant horizon.”

Chris Wheeler, Regional Head of Land and Development at Willmott Dixon, said; “The partnership continues to gain momentum through a truly collaborative approach. The Council’s desire to ensure the proposals provide a long lasting and impactful legacy for the community is inspiring and aligns with our business values.  We are looking forward to developing these proposals further over the coming months building towards a prosperous future for the bay.”

Stuart Harris, CEO for developer Milligan, said; “The Regeneration Partnership is enabling us to take a holistic approach to regeneration across Torquay, Brixham, and Paignton, allowing us to prioritise projects that will have the greatest impact. By evaluating multiple sites together, we’re able to make thoughtful, strategic decisions to address the unique character and needs of each town and create a complementary vision across the region. This approach ensures meaningful regeneration for the long-term and lasting benefits for each community, creating opportunities for future investment.”